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

Planting zone for 16745 — Rixford, PA

ZIP code 16745 (Rixford, McKean County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 16745 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 7

First frostOct 11

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 Rixford, 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 Rixford, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Olean, NY — 11 miles away, elevation 1,421 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 16745

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

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 7) 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 16745 came on Apr 5 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
Apr 5

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.

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 Rixford, PA.

Soil in Rixford, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16745 is Albrights — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Albrights 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 16745; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rixford, PA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights150nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,261base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 14 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation40.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall65 inper year; 74 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Olean, NY (11 mi away); precipitation: Olean, NY (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

167295b

Duke Center, PA · 3 mi

167275b

Derrick City, PA · 5 mi

East Smethport, PA · 8 mi

167255b

Custer City, PA · 9 mi

167265b

Cyclone, PA · 10 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 16745

What planting zone is ZIP code 16745?

ZIP code 16745 (Rixford, 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 Rixford, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16745 is May 7; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Olean station.

When is the first frost in Rixford, PA?

The median first fall frost near 16745 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 16745?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 16745 get?

About 40.7 inches of precipitation a year and 65 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Olean station).

How hot do summers get in Rixford, PA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 16745 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Albrights at the center of ZIP 16745: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rixford, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 16745 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rixford, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 16745 is 15 h 14 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 16745 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 16745 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.