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

Planting zone for 15846 — Kersey, PA

ZIP code 15846 (Kersey, Elk County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 15846 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 13
First frostOct 11
2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Kersey, 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 Kersey, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season150 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Ridgway, PA — 9 miles away, elevation 1,362 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 15846

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10
BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 15846 came on Apr 3 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 5b in Pennsylvania

572 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 75

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 113

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 198

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 166

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 8

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 honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Kersey, PA.

Soil in Kersey, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 15846 is Hartleton — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hartleton channery silt loam, 8 to 15 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 15846; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kersey, PA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights164nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,364base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation45 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 34 °F, low 16 °F 34°16° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 17 °F 37°17° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 2.47 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 MarApril: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ridgway, PA (9 mi away); precipitation: St. Marys 1.7 Se, PA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

158315b
Dagus Mines, PA · <1 mi
158226a
Brandy Camp, PA · 4 mi
167285b
De Young, PA · 6 mi
158236a
Brockport, PA · 8 mi
158575b
Saint Marys, PA · 9 mi
158535b
Ridgway, PA · 10 mi
158686a
Weedville, PA · 11 mi
158496a
Penfield, PA · 11 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 15846

What planting zone is ZIP code 15846?

ZIP code 15846 (Kersey, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Kersey, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 15846 is May 13; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ridgway station.

When is the first frost in Kersey, PA?

The median first fall frost near 15846 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 15846?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 15846 get?

About 45 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, St. Marys 1.7 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Kersey, 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 15846 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hartleton at the center of ZIP 15846: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Kersey, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 15846 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kersey, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 15846 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).