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

Planting zone for 18091 — Wind Gap, PA

ZIP code 18091 (Wind Gap, Northampton County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 18091 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 18
First frostOct 25
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 Wind Gap, 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 Wind Gap, 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 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Phillipsburg-Easton Brg, NJ — 11 miles away, elevation 233 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 18091

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 30 – Sep 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 18091 came on Apr 1 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

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 Wind Gap, PA.

Soil in Wind Gap, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 18091 is Comly — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Comly silt loam, 0 to 3 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 18091; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wind Gap, PA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights119nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,197base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 06 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)
Precipitation51.9 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 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 22 °F 40°22° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 2.94 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.96 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 5.14 in precipitation 5.1 AugSeptember: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 SepOctober: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Phillipsburg-Easton Brg, NJ (11 mi away); precipitation: Martins Creek 0.2 E, PA (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

180726b
Pen Argyl, PA · 4 mi
180647a
Nazareth, PA · 5 mi
183536b
Saylorsburg, PA · 5 mi
180837a
Stockertown, PA · 6 mi
180146b
Bath, PA · 6 mi
183546b
Sciota, PA · 7 mi
180857a
Tatamy, PA · 7 mi
183226b
Brodheadsville, PA · 7 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 18091

What planting zone is ZIP code 18091?

ZIP code 18091 (Wind Gap, 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 Wind Gap, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 18091 is April 18; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Phillipsburg-Easton Brg station.

When is the first frost in Wind Gap, PA?

The median first fall frost near 18091 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 18091?

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 18091 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 Wind Gap, PA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 18091 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Comly at the center of ZIP 18091: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wind Gap, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 18091 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 Wind Gap, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 18091 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 18091 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 18091 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.