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

Planting zone for 18222 — Drums, PA

ZIP code 18222 (Drums, Luzerne County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 18222 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 7
First frostOct 6
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 Drums, 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 Drums, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 22
Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Francis E Walter Dam, PA — 16 miles away, elevation 1,509 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 18222

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 18222 came on Apr 2 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

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 Drums, PA.

Soil in Drums, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 18222 is Oquaga — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Oquaga and Lordstown channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes, rubbly.

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 18222; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Drums, PA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,209base 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)
Precipitation46.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 31 °F, low 16 °F 31°16° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 17 °F 35°17° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 24 °F 43°24° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 30 °F 47°30° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 22 °F 36°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.86 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 2.52 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 AprMay: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 4.99 in precipitation 5.0 SepOctober: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 OctNovember: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Francis E Walter Dam, PA (16 mi away); precipitation: West Hazleton 3.2 Nne, PA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

182476b
Saint Johns, PA · <1 mi
182396b
Milnesville, PA · 3 mi
182346b
Lattimer Mines, PA · 4 mi
182196b
Conyngham, PA · 4 mi
182516b
Sybertsville, PA · 4 mi
182236b
Ebervale, PA · 5 mi
182216b
Drifton, PA · 5 mi
186606b
Wapwallopen, PA · 5 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 18222

What planting zone is ZIP code 18222?

ZIP code 18222 (Drums, 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 Drums, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 18222 is May 7; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Francis E Walter Dam station.

When is the first frost in Drums, PA?

The median first fall frost near 18222 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 18222?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 18222 get?

About 46.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, West Hazleton 3.2 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Drums, PA?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 18222 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Oquaga at the center of ZIP 18222: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Drums, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 18222 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Drums, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 18222 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 18222 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 18222 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.