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

Planting zone for 17847 — Milton, PA

ZIP code 17847 (Milton, Northumberland County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 17847 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 26

First frostOct 20

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 Milton, 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 Milton, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Lewisburg, PA — 6 miles away, elevation 499 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 17847

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 17847 came on Mar 31 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
Mar 31

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 Milton, PA.

Soil in Milton, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 17847 is Berks — 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 matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Berks channery silt loam, 8 to 15 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 17847; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Milton, PA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,923base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 13 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall29 inper year; 37 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: Lewisburg, PA (6 mi away); precipitation: Lewisburg, PA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

178656b

Potts Grove, PA · 2 mi

178866b

West Milton, PA · 3 mi

178506b

Montandon, PA · 4 mi

177496b

Mc Ewensville, PA · 4 mi

178576b

Northumberland, PA · 6 mi

178876b

White Deer, PA · 6 mi

177776b

Watsontown, PA · 7 mi

178376b

Lewisburg, PA · 7 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 17847

What planting zone is ZIP code 17847?

ZIP code 17847 (Milton, 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 Milton, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 17847 is April 26; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lewisburg station.

When is the first frost in Milton, PA?

The median first fall frost near 17847 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 17847?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 17847 get?

About 43.9 inches of precipitation a year and 29 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lewisburg station).

How hot do summers get in Milton, PA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 17847 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berks at the center of ZIP 17847: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Milton, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 17847 came on Mar 31 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Milton, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 17847 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).