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

Planting zone for 19012 — Cheltenham, PA

ZIP code 19012 (Cheltenham, Montgomery County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 19012 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 4

First frostNov 7

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cheltenham, 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 Cheltenham, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 23 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Philadelphia Ne Airport, PA — 5 miles away, elevation 102 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 19012

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 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 19012 came on Mar 15 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
Mar 15

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 Cheltenham, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 19012 is Udorthents — loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Udorthents, schist and gneiss complex, 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 19012; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cheltenham, PA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights88nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,064base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 01 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 19 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation49.4 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: Philadelphia Ne Airport, PA (5 mi away); precipitation: Philadelphia 4.7 Ne, PA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

191117b

Philadelphia, PA · 1 mi

190277b

Elkins Park, PA · 1 mi

191267b

Philadelphia, PA · 2 mi

191207b

Philadelphia, PA · 2 mi

191417b

Philadelphia, PA · 3 mi

191497b

Philadelphia, PA · 3 mi

191387b

Philadelphia, PA · 3 mi

190467b

Jenkintown, PA · 3 mi

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 19012

What planting zone is ZIP code 19012?

ZIP code 19012 (Cheltenham, PA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Cheltenham, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 19012 is April 4; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Philadelphia Ne Airport station.

When is the first frost in Cheltenham, PA?

The median first fall frost near 19012 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 19012?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 19012 get?

About 49.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Philadelphia 4.7 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Cheltenham, PA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 19012 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Udorthents at the center of ZIP 19012: loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Cheltenham, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 19012 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cheltenham, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 19012 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 19012 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 19012 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.