When to Plant in Pittsburgh, PA: Planting Calendar & Frost Dates
Quick answer
In Pittsburgh (ZIP 15207), the median last spring frost is Apr 18 and the first fall frost is Oct 28. Start tomato seeds indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7 and transplant them Apr 25 – May 2; sow peas Mar 7 – Mar 21; plant garlic Oct 14 – Nov 18.
For ZIP 15207 in Pittsburgh, the nearest NOAA weather station with freeze records is Pittsburgh Allegheny County Airport (NOAA name: Pittsburgh Allegheny Co Airport, PA), 3.2 miles away. Its median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) is Apr 18 and its median first fall frost is Oct 28, leaving about 193 frost-free days. ZIP 15207 is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last frost here comes 8 days earlier than the zone 6 median (Apr 26), and the season is 17 days longer than the zone’s typical 176 days. Across Pennsylvania’s 1,833 ZIP codes with frost dates, the median last frost is Apr 27, so Pittsburgh’s comes 9 days earlier than that.
Station and dates: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32°F at 50% probability, for the station nearest the center of ZIP 15207. Zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM data by ZIP code).
Next 30 days in Pittsburgh
See what to plant this month in the planner for ZIP 15207.
Key planting dates for Pittsburgh
| Key date | When in Pittsburgh | How it is counted |
|---|---|---|
| Sow peas | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | 4–6 weeks before last frost (Apr 18) |
| Start tomatoes indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | 6–8 weeks before last frost (Apr 18) |
| Transplant tomatoes | Apr 25 – May 2 | 1–2 weeks after last frost (Apr 18) |
| Sow beans and squash | Apr 25 – May 2 | 1–2 weeks after last frost (Apr 18) |
| Sow fall lettuce | Sep 2 – Sep 16 | 6–8 weeks before first fall frost (Oct 28) |
| Plant garlic | Oct 14 – Nov 18 | 2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) (Oct 28) |
| Plant tulip bulbs | Oct 14 – Nov 25 | 2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) (Oct 28) |
Pittsburgh vegetable and flower planting calendar
Every date range below is counted from Pittsburgh’s median frost dates (Apr 18 and Oct 28) with the same rules as our planner, and rows run in calendar order. In about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date.
| Plant | Task | Dates (and how they are counted) | Expected harvest (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | Start indoors | Feb 7 – Feb 218–10 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Cabbage | Start indoors | Feb 7 – Feb 218–10 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Kale | Start indoors | Feb 7 – Feb 218–10 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Tomatoes | Start indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 76–8 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Peppers | Start indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 76–8 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Eggplant | Start indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 76–8 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Peas | Direct sow | Mar 7 – Mar 214–6 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | May 6 – Jun 960–80 days from seeding |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Mar 7 – Mar 214–6 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Apr 21 – May 2045–60 days from seeding |
| Basil | Start indoors | Mar 7 – Mar 214–6 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Mar 14 – Apr 42–5 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Apr 3 – May 420–30 days from seeding |
| Lettuce | Direct sow | Mar 21 – Apr 42–4 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | May 20 – Jun 2360–80 days from seeding |
| Onions (sets/transplants) | Plant sets/transplants | Mar 21 – Apr 42–4 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jun 14 – Aug 285–120 days from planting |
| Broccoli | Transplant | Mar 21 – Apr 42–4 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | May 10 – Jun 1350–70 days from transplanting |
| Cabbage | Transplant | Mar 21 – Apr 42–4 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | May 30 – Jul 370–90 days from transplanting |
| Kale | Transplant | Mar 21 – Apr 42–4 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Marigolds | Start indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 180–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Zinnias | Start indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 180–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Potatoes | Plant seed potatoes | Apr 4 – Apr 111–2 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jun 28 – Jul 3085–110 days from planting |
| Marigolds | Direct sow / transplant | Apr 18 – May 2from the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Zinnias | Direct sow / transplant | Apr 18 – May 2from the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) (avg. Apr 18) | — |
| Tomatoes | Transplant | Apr 25 – May 21–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jul 4 – Jul 3170–90 days from transplanting |
| Beans (bush & pole) | Direct sow | Apr 25 – May 21–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jun 9 – Jul 1145–70 days from seeding |
| Sweet corn | Direct sow | Apr 25 – May 21–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jun 29 – Jul 3165–90 days from seeding |
| Cucumbers | Direct sow | Apr 25 – May 21–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jun 4 – Jul 640–65 days from seeding |
| Squash | Direct sow | Apr 25 – May 21–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jun 4 – Jun 2140–50 days from seeding |
| Pumpkins | Direct sow | Apr 25 – May 91–3 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jul 14 – Aug 1780–100 days from seeding |
| Basil | Transplant | Apr 25 – May 21–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jun 6 – Jun 1342 days from transplanting |
| Peppers | Transplant | May 2 – May 92–3 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jul 6 – Jul 2365–75 days from transplanting |
| Eggplant | Transplant | May 2 – May 92–3 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 18) | Jul 11 – Aug 770–90 days from transplanting |
| Broccoli | Fall transplant | Aug 5 – Aug 1910–12 weeks before first fall frost (avg. Oct 28) | Sep 24 – Oct 2850–70 days from transplanting |
| Cabbage | Fall transplant | Aug 5 – Aug 1910–12 weeks before first fall frost (avg. Oct 28) | Oct 14 – Nov 1770–90 days from transplanting |
| Kale | Fall sow | Aug 19 – Sep 28–10 weeks before first fall frost (avg. Oct 28) | Oct 8 – Nov 1150–70 days from seeding |
| Lettuce | Fall sow | Sep 2 – Sep 166–8 weeks before first fall frost (avg. Oct 28) | Nov 1 – Dec 560–80 days from seeding |
| Spinach | Fall sow | Sep 9 – Sep 304–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) (avg. Oct 28) | Oct 24 – Nov 2945–60 days from seeding |
| Radishes | Fall sow | Sep 16 – Sep 304–6 weeks before first fall frost (avg. Oct 28) | Oct 6 – Oct 3020–30 days from seeding |
| Daffodils | Fall plant bulbs | Sep 30 – Nov 114 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) (avg. Oct 28) | — |
| Tulips | Fall plant bulbs | Oct 14 – Nov 252 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) (avg. Oct 28) | — |
| Garlic | Fall plant cloves | Oct 14 – Nov 182 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) (avg. Oct 28) | Jun 21 – Aug 15 (next year)250–270 days from planting |
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Harvest estimates add days to harvest from these sources to each planting window, and stop at the first fall frost for frost-tender crops: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Frost dates across Pittsburgh’s ZIP codes
Across Pittsburgh’s 22 ZIP codes, the median last spring frost ranges from Apr 5 to Apr 24 and the median first fall frost from Oct 27 to Nov 10, depending on which of 4 NOAA stations is nearest. This page uses ZIP 15207, which is in the group most Pittsburgh ZIP codes share.
| Nearest NOAA station | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Pittsburgh ZIP codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Allegheny County Airport (NOAA name: Pittsburgh Allegheny Co Airport, PA) | Apr 18 | Oct 28 | 8: 15203, 15207, 15210, 15213, 15216, 15219, 15226, 15282 |
| Emsworth Lock and Dam Ohio River (NOAA name: Emsworth L/D Ohio Rvr, PA) | Apr 24 | Oct 27 | 7: 15204, 15211, 15212, 15214, 15222, 15233, 15290 |
| Braddock Lock 2 | Apr 5 | Nov 10 | 6: 15206, 15208, 15217, 15224, 15232, 15260 |
| Acmetonia Lock 3 | Apr 16 | Nov 1 | 1: 15201 |
Which ZIP codes count as Pittsburgh: the 22 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (2020 ZCTAs) with at least half of their land area inside Pittsburgh city limits, from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA to Place Relationship File. ZCTAs are the Census Bureau’s approximations of USPS ZIP Code areas, so this list may not match every USPS ZIP code. Each ZIP code’s dates are the ones our planner shows for it.
How Pittsburgh compares
| Area | Median last spring frost | Median first fall frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh (ZIP 15207) | Apr 18 | Oct 28 | 193 |
| Pennsylvania (median of 1,833 ZIP codes) | Apr 27 | Oct 21 | 177 |
| USDA zone 6 (median of 9,140 ZIP codes) | Apr 26 | Oct 19 | 176 |
How this table is built: each ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles); state and zone rows are medians across those ZIP codes. Zones are the 2023 USDA zones by ZIP code (PRISM).
More for Pittsburgh gardeners
- Your own ZIP: open the planner for ZIP 15207 and change the ZIP to yours for its own station and dates.
- Pennsylvania: When to plant in Pennsylvania, with frost dates across the state.
- USDA zone 6b: our zone 6 planting guide.
- Also in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia
- Frost tonight? How to protect plants from frost.
Wilmington Baltimore Philadelphia Boston Chicago Minneapolis Denver Dallas Richmond Atlanta Seattle Phoenix Los Angeles Miami All cities
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pittsburgh?
For ZIP 15207 in Pittsburgh, the nearest NOAA 1991–2020 normals station (Pittsburgh Allegheny County Airport, 3.2 miles away) has a median last spring frost (32°F) of Apr 18. Across Pittsburgh’s 22 ZIP codes it ranges from Apr 5 to Apr 24. In about half of years a frost still comes after that date, so tender plants are safer 1–2 weeks later.
When should I plant tomatoes in Pittsburgh?
Start tomato seeds indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7 (6–8 weeks before the last frost) and transplant them outdoors Apr 25 – May 2 (1–2 weeks after it), once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State).
What is the first fall frost date in Pittsburgh?
The median first fall frost (32°F) for ZIP 15207 is Oct 28, about 193 days after the last spring frost. Across Pittsburgh’s ZIP codes it ranges from Oct 27 to Nov 10. Sow fall lettuce Sep 2 – Sep 16 and plant garlic Oct 14 – Nov 18.
What USDA zone is Pittsburgh in?
ZIP 15207 in Pittsburgh is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Sources
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Plant Hardiness Zone Map: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- UNH Extension: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden
- Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension: Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; FS1220: Spring Flowering Bulbs (Rutgers NJAES)
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech): Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-331, Virginia’s Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide
- University of Maryland Extension: Vegetable Planting Calendar; Growing Potatoes in a Home Garden; Growing Onions in a Home Garden; Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; Growing Basil in a Home Garden
- University of Idaho Extension: CIS 1209
- South Dakota State University Extension: Planting Garlic; Harden Your Transplants Prior To Planting Your Garden
- University of Illinois Extension: Ready, Set, Garlic!
- University of Minnesota Extension: Growing sweet corn in home gardens; Growing eggplant in home gardens
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR): Growing Peppers
- Colorado State University Extension: Growing tomatoes
- UF/IFAS Extension: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2020 ZCTA to Place Relationship File