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

Planting zone for 19126 — Philadelphia, PA

ZIP code 19126 (Philadelphia, 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 19126 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 — 7 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 19126

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 19126 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).

Native plants for zone 7b in Pennsylvania

625 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 79

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 123

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 215

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 182

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 11

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Philadelphia, PA.

Soil in Philadelphia, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 19126 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 19126; 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)
Precipitation49.4 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″6″January: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 5.41 in precipitation 5.4 JulAugust: 5.01 in precipitation 5.0 AugSeptember: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Philadelphia Ne Airport, PA (7 mi away); precipitation: Philadelphia 4.7 Ne, PA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

191387b
Philadelphia, PA · 1 mi
191417b
Philadelphia, PA · 1 mi
190277b
Elkins Park, PA · 1 mi
190127b
Cheltenham, PA · 2 mi
191207b
Philadelphia, PA · 2 mi
191507b
Philadelphia, PA · 2 mi
190957b
Wyncote, PA · 2 mi
191447b
Philadelphia, PA · 3 mi

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

Questions about 19126

What planting zone is ZIP code 19126?

ZIP code 19126 (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 19126 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 19126 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 19126?

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 19126 get?

About 49.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Philadelphia 4.7 Ne 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 19126 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chester at the center of ZIP 19126: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Philadelphia, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 19126 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 19126 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 19126 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 19126 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.