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

Planting zone for 16921 — Gaines, PA

ZIP code 16921 (Gaines, Tioga County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 16921 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostMay 10

First frostOct 5

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gaines, 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 Gaines, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 23

Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Wellsboro 4 Sw, PA — 7 miles away, elevation 1,818 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 16921

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 16921 came on Apr 6 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

average
Apr 152026
Apr 6

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 6a in Pennsylvania

598 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Gaines, PA.

Soil in Gaines, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16921 is Oquaga — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter80%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Oquaga and Lordstown channery loams, 25 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony.

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 16921; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gaines, PA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights159nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,091base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 13 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)

Precipitation43.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall57 inper year; 71 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: Wellsboro 4 Sw, PA (7 mi away); precipitation: Galeton, PA (7 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.

169435b

Sabinsville, PA · 10 mi

169225b

Galeton, PA · 10 mi

169016a

Wellsboro, PA · 11 mi

169506a

Westfield, PA · 12 mi

169386a

Morris, PA · 12 mi

177276a

Cedar Run, PA · 14 mi

169356a

Middlebury Center, PA · 14 mi

177696a

Slate Run, PA · 15 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 16921

What planting zone is ZIP code 16921?

ZIP code 16921 (Gaines, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Gaines, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16921 is May 10; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wellsboro 4 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Gaines, PA?

The median first fall frost near 16921 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 16921?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 16921 get?

About 43.3 inches of precipitation a year and 57 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Galeton station).

How hot do summers get in Gaines, PA?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 16921 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Oquaga at the center of ZIP 16921: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gaines, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 16921 came on Apr 6 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gaines, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 16921 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 16921 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 16921 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.