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

Planting zone for 18626 — Laporte, PA

ZIP code 18626 (Laporte, Sullivan County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 18626 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostMay 6

First frostOct 7

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Laporte, 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 Laporte, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Laporte, PA — 2 miles away, elevation 1,965 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 18626

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 18626 came on Apr 8 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
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 6a in Pennsylvania

598 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Laporte, PA.

Soil in Laporte, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 18626 is Norwich — moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter80%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Norwich channery silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony.

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 18626; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Laporte, PA

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,033base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation53.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall70 inper year; 82 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Laporte, PA (2 mi away); precipitation: Laporte, PA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

186326a

Mildred, PA · 5 mi

177586a

Muncy Valley, PA · 6 mi

177316a

Eagles Mere, PA · 7 mi

Forksville, PA · 12 mi

177746a

Unityville, PA · 12 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 18626

What planting zone is ZIP code 18626?

ZIP code 18626 (Laporte, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Laporte, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 18626 is May 6; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laporte station.

When is the first frost in Laporte, PA?

The median first fall frost near 18626 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 18626?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 18626 get?

About 53.3 inches of precipitation a year and 70 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laporte station).

How hot do summers get in Laporte, PA?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 18626 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Norwich at the center of ZIP 18626: moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Laporte, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 18626 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Laporte, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 18626 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).