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

Planting zone for 18063 — Martins Creek, PA

ZIP code 18063 (Martins Creek, Northampton County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 18063 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 30

First frostOct 18

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 Martins 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 Martins Creek, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season168 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Belvidere Brg, NJ — 6 miles away, elevation 262 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 18063

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 18063 came on Mar 31 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

average
Apr 32026
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).

Soil in Martins Creek, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 18063 is Berks — channery loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Berks complex, 8 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 18063; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Martins Creek, PA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,807base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.9 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: Belvidere Brg, NJ (6 mi away); precipitation: Martins Creek 0.2 E, PA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

180407a

Easton, PA · 3 mi

180837a

Stockertown, PA · 5 mi

Phillipsburg, NJ · 5 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 18063

What planting zone is ZIP code 18063?

ZIP code 18063 (Martins Creek, 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 Martins Creek, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 18063 is April 30; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Belvidere Brg station.

When is the first frost in Martins Creek, PA?

The median first fall frost near 18063 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 168 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 18063?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 18063 get?

About 51.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Martins Creek 0.2 E station).

How hot do summers get in Martins Creek, PA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 18063 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berks at the center of ZIP 18063: channery loam, well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 18063 came on Mar 31 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Martins Creek, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 18063 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 18063 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 18063 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.