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

Planting zone for 16115 — Darlington, PA

ZIP code 16115 (Darlington, Beaver County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 16115 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 27

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 Darlington, 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 Darlington, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Beaver Falls 1 Ne, PA — 8 miles away, elevation 761 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 16115

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

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 27) 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 16115 came on Mar 10 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

average
Apr 12026
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).

Soil in Darlington, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16115 is Lobdell — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lobdell silt loam.

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 16115; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Darlington, PA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights131nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,906base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation40.3 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: Beaver Falls 1 Ne, PA (8 mi away); precipitation: Beaver Falls 1 Ne, PA (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

444416b

Negley, OH · 5 mi

444136a

East Palestine, OH · 6 mi

150106b

Beaver Falls, PA · 6 mi

161206a

Enon Valley, PA · 6 mi

161416b

New Galilee, PA · 7 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 16115

What planting zone is ZIP code 16115?

ZIP code 16115 (Darlington, 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 Darlington, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16115 is April 27; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beaver Falls 1 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Darlington, PA?

The median first fall frost near 16115 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 16115?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 16115 get?

About 40.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beaver Falls 1 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Darlington, PA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 16115 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lobdell at the center of ZIP 16115: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Darlington, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 16115 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Darlington, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 16115 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 16115 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 16115 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.