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

Planting zone for 17241 — Newville, PA

ZIP code 17241 (Newville, Cumberland 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 17241 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 Newville, 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 Newville, 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 — 6 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 17241

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 17241 came on Mar 21 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

average
Mar 292026
Mar 21

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 Newville, PA.

Soil in Newville, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 17241 is Weikert — very channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureVery channery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Weikert very 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 17241; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Newville, 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 02 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bloserville 1 N, PA (6 mi away); precipitation: Bloserville 1 N, PA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

172667a

Walnut Bottom, PA · 6 mi

170817a

Plainfield, PA · 7 mi

170407a

Landisburg, PA · 9 mi

Shippensburg, PA · 10 mi

170067a

Blain, PA · 12 mi

170657a

Mount Holly Springs, PA · 12 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 17241

What planting zone is ZIP code 17241?

ZIP code 17241 (Newville, 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 Newville, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 17241 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 Newville, PA?

The median first fall frost near 17241 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 17241?

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 17241 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Newville, 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 17241 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Weikert at the center of ZIP 17241: very channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Newville, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 17241 came on Mar 21 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Newville, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 17241 is 15 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 17241 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 17241 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.