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

Planting zone for 18247 — Saint Johns, PA

ZIP code 18247 (Saint Johns, Luzerne County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 18247 is

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 30
First frostOct 22
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 Saint Johns, 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 Saint Johns, 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 22median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Mahanoy City 2 N, PA — 15 miles away, elevation 1,709 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 18247

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 27 – Sep 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 18247 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).

Soil in Saint Johns, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 18247 is Meckesville — 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 groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Meckesville channery silt loam, 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 18247; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Saint Johns, PA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights139nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,499base 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 33 °F, low 18 °F 33°18° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 18 °F 35°18° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 47 °F 67°47° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 56 °F 76°56° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 61 °F 80°61° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 58 °F 78°58° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 52 °F 72°52° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 41 °F 60°41° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 31 °F 48°31° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 23 °F 37°23° 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: Mahanoy City 2 N, PA (15 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.

182226b
Drums, PA · <1 mi
182396b
Milnesville, PA · 3 mi
182346b
Lattimer Mines, PA · 3 mi
182196b
Conyngham, PA · 4 mi
182516b
Sybertsville, PA · 4 mi
182236b
Ebervale, PA · 4 mi
182216b
Drifton, PA · 5 mi
182026b
Hazleton, PA · 6 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 18247

What planting zone is ZIP code 18247?

ZIP code 18247 (Saint Johns, 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 Saint Johns, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 18247 is April 30; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mahanoy City 2 N station.

When is the first frost in Saint Johns, PA?

The median first fall frost near 18247 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 18247?

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 18247 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 Saint Johns, PA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 18247 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Meckesville at the center of ZIP 18247: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Saint Johns, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 18247 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 Saint Johns, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 18247 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 18247 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 18247 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.