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

Planting zone for 17080 — Pillow, PA

ZIP code 17080 (Pillow, Dauphin County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 17080 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 25

First frostOct 22

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 Pillow, 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 Pillow, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Selinsgrove 2 S, PA — 11 miles away, elevation 420 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 17080

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23

BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 17080 came on Mar 24 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
Mar 24

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).

Soil in Pillow, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 17080 is Calvin — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Calvin-Leck Kill shaly silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 17080; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pillow, PA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights131nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,005base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 05 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)

Precipitation43.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall29 inper year; 35 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: Selinsgrove 2 S, PA (11 mi away); precipitation: Selinsgrove 2 S, PA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

170056b

Berrysburg, PA · 3 mi

Elizabethville, PA · 4 mi

170176b

Dalmatia, PA · 5 mi

178646b

Port Trevorton, PA · 7 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 17080

What planting zone is ZIP code 17080?

ZIP code 17080 (Pillow, 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 Pillow, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 17080 is April 25; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Selinsgrove 2 S station.

When is the first frost in Pillow, PA?

The median first fall frost near 17080 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 17080?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 17080 get?

About 43.1 inches of precipitation a year and 29 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Selinsgrove 2 S station).

How hot do summers get in Pillow, PA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 17080 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Calvin at the center of ZIP 17080: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Pillow, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 17080 came on Mar 24 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pillow, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 17080 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).