Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 15634 — Grapeville, PA

ZIP code 15634 (Grapeville, Westmoreland County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 15634 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 22

First frostOct 25

2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Grapeville, 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 Grapeville, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Murrysville 2 Sw, PA — 9 miles away, elevation 860 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 15634

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 15634 came on Mar 10 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
Mar 10

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.

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 Grapeville, PA.

Soil in Grapeville, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 15634 is Gilpin — channery silt loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Gilpin complex, 8 to 25 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 15634; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Grapeville, PA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights129nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,342base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation44.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Murrysville 2 Sw, PA (9 mi away); precipitation: Irwin 0.2 W, PA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Greensburg, PA · 4 mi

156366b

Harrison City, PA · 4 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 15634

What planting zone is ZIP code 15634?

ZIP code 15634 (Grapeville, 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 Grapeville, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 15634 is April 22; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Murrysville 2 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Grapeville, PA?

The median first fall frost near 15634 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 15634?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 15634 get?

About 44.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Irwin 0.2 W station).

How hot do summers get in Grapeville, PA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 15634 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gilpin at the center of ZIP 15634: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Grapeville, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 15634 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Grapeville, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 15634 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 15634 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 15634 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.