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

Planting zone for 17238 — Needmore, PA

ZIP code 17238 (Needmore, Fulton County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 17238 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 27

First frostOct 17

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 Needmore, 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 Needmore, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Everett, PA — 16 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 17238

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 17238 came on Mar 13 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27).

average
Mar 272026
Mar 13

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 Needmore, PA.

Soil in Needmore, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 17238 is Weikert — channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Weikert 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 17238; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Needmore, PA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights142nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,021base 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

Precipitation40.7 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: Everett, PA (16 mi away); precipitation: Everett 4.1 S, PA (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

172127a

Big Cove Tannery, PA · 5 mi

155366b

Crystal Spring, PA · 7 mi

172677a

Warfordsburg, PA · 7 mi

172286b

Harrisonville, PA · 9 mi

172367a

Mercersburg, PA · 11 mi

155336b

Breezewood, PA · 11 mi

172337a

Mc Connellsburg, PA · 11 mi

172317a

Lemasters, PA · 14 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 17238

What planting zone is ZIP code 17238?

ZIP code 17238 (Needmore, 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 Needmore, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 17238 is April 27; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Everett station.

When is the first frost in Needmore, PA?

The median first fall frost near 17238 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 17238?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 17238 get?

About 40.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Everett 4.1 S station).

How hot do summers get in Needmore, PA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 17238 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Weikert at the center of ZIP 17238: channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Needmore, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 17238 came on Mar 13 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Needmore, PA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 17238 is 15 h 00 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 17238 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 17238 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.