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

Planting zone for 18840 — Sayre, PA

ZIP code 18840 (Sayre, Bradford 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 10.

Where ZIP 18840 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 10
2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sayre, 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 Sayre, 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 10median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season157 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Waverly, NY — 2 miles away, elevation 846 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 18840

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 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 18840 came on Apr 4 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

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 Sayre, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 18840 is Alton — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alton gravelly sandy loam, 0 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 18840; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sayre, PA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,609base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 14 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation36.8 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 34 °F, low 16 °F 34°16° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 17 °F 37°17° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 58 °F 83°58° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 57 °F 82°57° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.17 in precipitation 2.2 JanFebruary: 1.84 in precipitation 1.8 FebMarch: 2.61 in precipitation 2.6 MarApril: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 MayJune: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 2.43 in precipitation 2.4 NovDecember: 2.43 in precipitation 2.4 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

188106a
Athens, PA · 3 mi
148926a
Waverly, NY · 5 mi
188316a
Milan, PA · 6 mi
188506a
Ulster, PA · 8 mi
138406a
Smithboro, NY · 8 mi
148256a
Chemung, NY · 8 mi
188176a
East Smithfield, PA · 8 mi
137346a
Barton, NY · 9 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 18840

What planting zone is ZIP code 18840?

ZIP code 18840 (Sayre, 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 Sayre, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 18840 is May 6; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waverly station.

When is the first frost in Sayre, PA?

The median first fall frost near 18840 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 157 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 18840?

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 18840 get?

About 36.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waverly station).

How hot do summers get in Sayre, PA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 18840 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alton at the center of ZIP 18840: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sayre, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 18840 came on Apr 4 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sayre, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 18840 is 15 h 14 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 18840 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 18840 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.