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

Planting zone for 17231 — Lemasters, PA

ZIP code 17231 (Lemasters, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 17231 is

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 7

First frostNov 4

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 Lemasters, 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 Lemasters, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 22

Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Hagerstown Washington Co. Airport, MD — 12 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 17231

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 17231 came on Mar 15 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
Mar 15

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.

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 Lemasters, PA.

Soil in Lemasters, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 17231 is Hagerstown — silt loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Hagerstown complex, 0 to 8 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 17231; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lemasters, PA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights93nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,893base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation35.6 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: Hagerstown Washington Co. Airport, MD (12 mi away); precipitation: Hagerstown Washington Co. Airport, MD (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

172527a

Saint Thomas, PA · 4 mi

172367a

Mercersburg, PA · 6 mi

172257a

Greencastle, PA · 7 mi

172247a

Fort Loudon, PA · 8 mi

172357a

Marion, PA · 9 mi

172027a

Chambersburg, PA · 10 mi

172337a

Mc Connellsburg, PA · 11 mi

172567a

Shady Grove, PA · 11 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 17231

What planting zone is ZIP code 17231?

ZIP code 17231 (Lemasters, 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 Lemasters, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 17231 is April 7; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hagerstown Washington Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Lemasters, PA?

The median first fall frost near 17231 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 17231?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 17231 get?

About 35.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hagerstown Washington Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Lemasters, PA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 17231 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hagerstown at the center of ZIP 17231: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lemasters, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 17231 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lemasters, PA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 17231 is 15 h 00 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 17231 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 17231 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.