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

Planting zone for 15439 — Gans, PA

ZIP code 15439 (Gans, Fayette County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 15439 is

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 25
First frostOct 24
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 Gans, 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 Gans, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 9
Growing season181 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Lake Lynn, WV — 2 miles away, elevation 899 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 15439

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23
BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 15439 came on Mar 9 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).

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).

Native plants for zone 6b in Pennsylvania

605 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 76

Shrubs 122

Wildflowers & perennials 209

Grasses 173

Vines 10

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Gans, PA.

Soil in Gans, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 15439 is Lindside — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lindside silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 15439; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gans, PA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights110nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,226base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall14 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 23 °F 40°23° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 43 °F 63°43° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 33 °F 51°33° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 27 °F 42°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.21 in precipitation, 5.2 in snowfall 3.2❄5 JanFebruary: 2.68 in precipitation, 5.6 in snowfall 2.7❄6 FebMarch: 3.65 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 3.6❄2 MarApril: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.31 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.3 OctNovember: 3.27 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.3 NovDecember: 3.41 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.4❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lake Lynn, WV (2 mi away); precipitation: Lake Lynn, WV (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 15439

What planting zone is ZIP code 15439?

ZIP code 15439 (Gans, 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 Gans, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 15439 is April 25; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Lynn station.

When is the first frost in Gans, PA?

The median first fall frost near 15439 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 15439?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 15439 get?

About 45.2 inches of precipitation a year and 14 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Lynn station).

How hot do summers get in Gans, PA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 15439 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lindside at the center of ZIP 15439: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Gans, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 15439 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gans, PA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 15439 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.