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

Planting zone for 18439 — Lakewood, PA

ZIP code 18439 (Lakewood, Wayne County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 18439 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 14

First frostOct 1

2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season140 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Pleasant Mt 1 W, PA — 8 miles away, elevation 1,801 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 18439

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 18439 came on Apr 12 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

average
Apr 192026
Apr 12

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 Lakewood, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 18439 is Volusia — channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter10%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Volusia channery silt loam, 0 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 18439; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lakewood, PA

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights169nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,887base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation44.6 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: Pleasant Mt 1 W, PA (8 mi away); precipitation: Equinunk 2 Nw, PA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

184545b

Poyntelle, PA · 4 mi

184555b

Preston Park, PA · 5 mi

Pleasant Mount, PA · 6 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 18439

What planting zone is ZIP code 18439?

ZIP code 18439 (Lakewood, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Lakewood, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 18439 is May 14; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pleasant Mt 1 W station.

When is the first frost in Lakewood, PA?

The median first fall frost near 18439 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 140 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 18439?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 18439 get?

About 44.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Equinunk 2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Lakewood, PA?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 18439 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Volusia at the center of ZIP 18439: channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lakewood, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 18439 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lakewood, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 18439 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).