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

Planting zone for 17862 — Penns Creek, PA

ZIP code 17862 (Penns Creek, Snyder County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 17862 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 25
First frostOct 19
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 Penns Creek, 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 Penns Creek, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Laurelton Center, PA — 9 miles away, elevation 801 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 17862

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23
BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 17862 came on Mar 31 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5).

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.

Trees 76

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 122

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 209

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 173

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 10

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Penns Creek, PA.

Soil in Penns Creek, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 17862 is Allenwood — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Allenwood and Washington soils, 3 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 17862; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Penns Creek, PA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights142nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,160base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 07 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation45 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 36 °F, low 21 °F 36°21° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 28 °F 50°28° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 33 °F 52°33° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 26 °F 40°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 2.32 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 SepOctober: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Laurelton Center, PA (9 mi away); precipitation: Mifflinburg 2nw, PA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

178806b
Swengel, PA · 4 mi
178426b
Middleburg, PA · 4 mi
178556b
New Berlin, PA · 5 mi
178296b
Hartleton, PA · 6 mi
178616b
Paxtonville, PA · 6 mi
178336b
Kreamer, PA · 6 mi
178446b
Mifflinburg, PA · 7 mi
178896b
Winfield, PA · 7 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 17862

What planting zone is ZIP code 17862?

ZIP code 17862 (Penns Creek, 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 Penns Creek, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 17862 is April 25; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laurelton Center station.

When is the first frost in Penns Creek, PA?

The median first fall frost near 17862 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 17862?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 17862 get?

About 45 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mifflinburg 2nw station).

How hot do summers get in Penns Creek, PA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 17862 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Allenwood at the center of ZIP 17862: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Penns Creek, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 17862 came on Mar 31 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Penns Creek, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 17862 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).