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

Planting zone for 19115 — Philadelphia, PA

ZIP code 19115 (Philadelphia, Philadelphia 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 19115 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 Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, 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 — 2 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 19115

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 19115 came on Mar 15 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

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 Philadelphia, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 19115 is Chester — silt loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Chester 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 19115; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Philadelphia, 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)
Precipitation45 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 27 °F 42°27° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 68 °F 86°68° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 60 °F 79°60° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 48 °F 68°48° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 38 °F 57°38° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 31 °F 47°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

All 87 ZIP codes in Philadelphia → · Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 19115

What planting zone is ZIP code 19115?

ZIP code 19115 (Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 19115 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 Philadelphia, PA?

The median first fall frost near 19115 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 19115?

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 19115 get?

About 45 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Philadelphia Ne Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Philadelphia, 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 19115 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chester at the center of ZIP 19115: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Philadelphia, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 19115 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 Philadelphia, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 19115 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 19115 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 19115 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.