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

Planting zone for 16827 — Boalsburg, PA

ZIP code 16827 (Boalsburg, Centre County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 16827 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 20

First frostOct 26

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 Boalsburg, 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 Boalsburg, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station State College, PA — 5 miles away, elevation 1,171 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 16827

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 16827 came on Apr 2 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

average
Apr 92026
Apr 2

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.

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 Boalsburg, PA.

Soil in Boalsburg, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16827 is Berks — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.9%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berks channery silt loam, 15 to 25 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 16827; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Boalsburg, PA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights122nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,874base 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)

Precipitation42 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: State College, PA (5 mi away); precipitation: State College 2.4 Ene, PA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

168516b

Lemont, PA · 3 mi

168016b

State College, PA · 4 mi

168286b

Centre Hall, PA · 5 mi

168046b

State College, PA · 5 mi

168056b

State College, PA · 5 mi

168026b

University Park, PA · 5 mi

168686b

Pine Grove Mills, PA · 7 mi

168036b

State College, PA · 7 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 16827

What planting zone is ZIP code 16827?

ZIP code 16827 (Boalsburg, 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 Boalsburg, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16827 is April 20; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, State College station.

When is the first frost in Boalsburg, PA?

The median first fall frost near 16827 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 16827?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 16827 get?

About 42 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, State College 2.4 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Boalsburg, PA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 16827 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berks at the center of ZIP 16827: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Boalsburg, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 16827 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Boalsburg, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 16827 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).