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

Planting zone for 16691 — Wells Tannery, PA

ZIP code 16691 (Wells Tannery, Fulton 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 17.

Where ZIP 16691 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 17
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 Wells Tannery, 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 Wells Tannery, 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 17median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Everett, PA — 12 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 16691

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 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 27) 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 16691 came on Mar 20 — 14 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 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

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 122

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 209

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 173

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 10

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 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °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 Wells Tannery, PA.

Soil in Wells Tannery, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16691 is Calvin — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Calvin-Leck kill channery silt loams, 3 to 8 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 16691; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wells Tannery, PA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights142nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,021base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 01 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)
Precipitation41.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall23 inper year; 21 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 22 °F 42°22° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 61 °F 85°61° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F 43°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.88 in precipitation, 5.7 in snowfall 2.9❄6 JanFebruary: 2.38 in precipitation, 8.5 in snowfall 2.4❄9 FebMarch: 3.60 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 3.6❄2 MarApril: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.30 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 3.3❄1 OctNovember: 3.07 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.1 NovDecember: 3.15 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 3.1❄6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Everett, PA (12 mi away); precipitation: Saxton 1w, PA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

166896b
Waterfall, PA · 3 mi
166796b
Six Mile Run, PA · 6 mi
172286b
Harrisonville, PA · 6 mi
166336b
Defiance, PA · 7 mi
172296b
Hustontown, PA · 7 mi
166946b
Wood, PA · 8 mi
166506b
Hopewell, PA · 8 mi
166746b
Robertsdale, PA · 8 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 16691

What planting zone is ZIP code 16691?

ZIP code 16691 (Wells Tannery, 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 Wells Tannery, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16691 is April 27; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Everett station.

When is the first frost in Wells Tannery, PA?

The median first fall frost near 16691 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 16691?

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 16691 get?

About 41.1 inches of precipitation a year and 23 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saxton 1w station).

How hot do summers get in Wells Tannery, PA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 16691 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Calvin at the center of ZIP 16691: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Wells Tannery, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 16691 came on Mar 20 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wells Tannery, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 16691 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).