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

Planting zone for 15610 — Acme, PA

ZIP code 15610 (Acme, Westmoreland County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 15610 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostApr 30
First frostOct 17
2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Acme, 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 Acme, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Donegal 2 Nw, PA — within 1 mile, elevation 1,801 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 15610

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 15610 came on Mar 15 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

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 6a in Pennsylvania

598 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 76

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 121

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 207

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 170

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 9

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

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 Acme, PA.

Soil in Acme, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 15610 is Shelocta — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter69%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Shelocta-Gilpin channery silt loams, 25 to 75 percent slopes.

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 15610; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Acme, PA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,688base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 02 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 19 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation50.1 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 35 °F, low 19 °F 35°19° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 47 °F 70°47° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 32 °F 51°32° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 JanFebruary: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 MarApril: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 AprMay: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 4.91 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Donegal 2 Nw, PA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Donegal 2 Nw, PA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

156286a
Donegal, PA · 3 mi
156466a
Jones Mills, PA · 4 mi
154906a
White, PA · 5 mi
154626a
Melcroft, PA · 5 mi
156876a
Stahlstown, PA · 5 mi
156666b
Mount Pleasant, PA · 5 mi
156216b
Calumet, PA · 7 mi
156746b
Norvelt, PA · 7 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 15610

What planting zone is ZIP code 15610?

ZIP code 15610 (Acme, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Acme, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 15610 is April 30; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Donegal 2 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Acme, PA?

The median first fall frost near 15610 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 15610?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 15610 get?

About 50.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Donegal 2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Acme, PA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 15610 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shelocta at the center of ZIP 15610: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Acme, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 15610 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Acme, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 15610 is 15 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).