Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 15051 — Indianola, PA

ZIP code 15051 (Indianola, Allegheny County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 15051 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 16
First frostNov 1
2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Indianola, PA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Indianola, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season197 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Acmetonia Lock 3, PA — 3 miles away, elevation 748 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 15051

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Nov 1) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 15051 came on Mar 15 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Indianola, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 15051 is Gilpin — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter69%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gilpin-Upshur complex, very steep.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 15051; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Indianola, PA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights117nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,002base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation44.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 43 °F 64°43° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 32 °F 51°32° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 26 °F 42°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 MarApril: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.26 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Acmetonia Lock 3, PA (3 mi away); precipitation: Acmetonia Lock 3, PA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

150246b
Cheswick, PA · 1 mi
150756b
Rural Ridge, PA · 2 mi
152386b
Pittsburgh, PA · 2 mi
150766b
Russellton, PA · 3 mi
150496b
Harwick, PA · 3 mi
151396b
Oakmont, PA · 3 mi
151446b
Springdale, PA · 4 mi
150306b
Creighton, PA · 4 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 15051

What planting zone is ZIP code 15051?

ZIP code 15051 (Indianola, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Indianola, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 15051 is April 16; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Acmetonia Lock 3 station.

When is the first frost in Indianola, PA?

The median first fall frost near 15051 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 15051?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 15051 get?

About 44.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Acmetonia Lock 3 station).

How hot do summers get in Indianola, PA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 15051 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gilpin at the center of ZIP 15051: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Indianola, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 15051 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Indianola, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 15051 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).