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

Planting zone for 16734 — James City, PA

ZIP code 16734 (James City, Elk County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 16734 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 24
First frostSep 28
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for James City, 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 James City, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 11
Growing season126 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 11 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Kane 1nne, PA — 5 miles away, elevation 1,749 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 16734

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21
BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 16734 came on Apr 4 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

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 James City, PA.

Soil in James City, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16734 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, 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 16734; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in James City, PA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights184nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,881base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation48.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall93 inper year; 96 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 30 °F, low 13 °F 30°13° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 13 °F 33°13° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 20 °F 42°20° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 30 °F 56°30° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°40° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 35 °F 59°35° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 20 °F 35°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.82 in precipitation, 25.4 in snowfall 3.8❄25 JanFebruary: 2.83 in precipitation, 20.4 in snowfall 2.8❄20 FebMarch: 3.56 in precipitation, 13.4 in snowfall 3.6❄13 MarApril: 4.24 in precipitation, 2.9 in snowfall 4.2❄3 AprMay: 4.51 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.5 MayJune: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.03 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 4.0❄1 OctNovember: 3.84 in precipitation, 8.2 in snowfall 3.8❄8 NovDecember: 3.99 in precipitation, 21.7 in snowfall 4.0❄22 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kane 1nne, PA (5 mi away); precipitation: Kane 1nne, PA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

167355b
Kane, PA · 2 mi
163335b
Ludlow, PA · 10 mi
158455b
Johnsonburg, PA · 10 mi
163475b
Sheffield, PA · 12 mi
158705b
Wilcox, PA · 14 mi
163525b
Tiona, PA · 14 mi
167385b
Lewis Run, PA · 14 mi
167335b
Hazel Hurst, PA · 15 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 16734

What planting zone is ZIP code 16734?

ZIP code 16734 (James City, 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 James City, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16734 is May 24; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kane 1nne station.

When is the first frost in James City, PA?

The median first fall frost near 16734 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 126 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 16734?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 16734 get?

About 48.5 inches of precipitation a year and 93 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kane 1nne station).

How hot do summers get in James City, PA?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 16734 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hartleton at the center of ZIP 16734: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in James City, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 16734 came on Apr 4 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in James City, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 16734 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 16734 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 16734 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.