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

Planting zone for 17846 — Millville, PA

ZIP code 17846 (Millville, Columbia County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 17846 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 frostMay 4

First frostOct 11

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Millville, 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 Millville, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season159 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Benton 3 Ne, PA — 11 miles away, elevation 1,096 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 17846

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 17846 came on Apr 1 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Apr 1

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 6b in Pennsylvania

605 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Millville, PA.

Soil in Millville, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 17846 is Weikert — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Weikert channery silt loam, 35 to 80 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 17846; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Millville, PA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights145nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,377base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation48.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall46 inper year; 52 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: Benton 3 Ne, PA (11 mi away); precipitation: Benton 3 Ne, PA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

178596b

Orangeville, PA · 6 mi

177426b

Lairdsville, PA · 7 mi

177746a

Unityville, PA · 8 mi

178156b

Bloomsburg, PA · 9 mi

177726b

Turbotville, PA · 10 mi

178846b

Washingtonville, PA · 10 mi

178786b

Stillwater, PA · 10 mi

178146a

Benton, PA · 11 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 17846

What planting zone is ZIP code 17846?

ZIP code 17846 (Millville, 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 Millville, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 17846 is May 4; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Benton 3 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Millville, PA?

The median first fall frost near 17846 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 159 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 17846?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 17846 get?

About 48.4 inches of precipitation a year and 46 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Benton 3 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Millville, PA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 17846 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Weikert at the center of ZIP 17846: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Millville, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 17846 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Millville, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 17846 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 17846 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 17846 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.