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

Planting zone for 17071 — New Germantown, PA

ZIP code 17071 (New Germantown, Perry County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 17071 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 18
First frostOct 26
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for New Germantown, 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 New Germantown, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Bloserville 1 N, PA — 14 miles away, elevation 699 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 17071

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
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 18) 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 17071 came on Mar 23 — 11 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 7a in Pennsylvania

620 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 78

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 123

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 212

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 181

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 11

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °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 °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 New Germantown, PA.

Soil in New Germantown, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 17071 is Dystrochrepts — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dystrochrepts, bouldery.

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 17071; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Germantown, PA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights110nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,092base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 18 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation43.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 22 °F 37°22° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 23 °F 40°23° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 30 °F 48°30° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 40 °F 61°40° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 50 °F 71°50° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 55 °F 75°55° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 44 °F 64°44° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 35 °F 52°35° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 27 °F 41°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 JanFebruary: 2.40 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bloserville 1 N, PA (14 mi away); precipitation: Bloserville 1 N, PA (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

170217a
East Waterford, PA · 4 mi
172197a
Doylesburg, PA · 6 mi
172177a
Concord, PA · 7 mi
170067a
Blain, PA · 7 mi
172106b
Amberson, PA · 8 mi
170357a
Honey Grove, PA · 8 mi
172137a
Blairs Mills, PA · 8 mi
172407a
Newburg, PA · 10 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 17071

What planting zone is ZIP code 17071?

ZIP code 17071 (New Germantown, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in New Germantown, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 17071 is April 18; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bloserville 1 N station.

When is the first frost in New Germantown, PA?

The median first fall frost near 17071 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 17071?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 17071 get?

About 43.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bloserville 1 N station).

How hot do summers get in New Germantown, PA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 17071 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dystrochrepts at the center of ZIP 17071: channery loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in New Germantown, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 17071 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Germantown, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 17071 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 17071 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 17071 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.