If you’re growing plants in Pennsylvania, do you know what growing zone you are in?
The answer varies depending on where you are in Pennsylvania.
What is a growing zone?
Growing zones are dictated by the average lowest annual minimum winter temperature in that area.
Given PA’s location, this average varies. In northern PA, this average is going to be lower, while southern parts of PA have a higher average.
PA growing zones
There are 6 growing zones in PA:
- 5a growing zone
- 5b growing zone
- 6a growing zone
- 6b growing zone
- 7a growing zone
- 7b growing zone
These growing zones are spread across the commonwealth of PA, according to this map:
Philadelphia, PA growing zone
If you’re growing plants in Philadelphia, PA, your growing zone is 7a and 7b.
Pittsburgh, PA growing zone
If you’re growing plants in Philadelphia, PA, your growing zone is 6a and 6b.
Harrisburg, PA growing zone
If you’re growing plants in Philadelphia, PA, your growing zone is 6b and 7a.
Scranton, PA growing zone
If you’re growing plants in Philadelphia, PA, your growing zone is 6a.
Erie, PA growing zone
If you’re growing plants in Philadelphia, PA, your growing zone is 6a and 6b.
Why does this matter?
Your growing zone is an indicator you can use to know how to care for your plant.
One way you can do this is to better understand when your growing season starts and ends, which helps you know when to plant your annuals outside in the spring. It can also give you an idea of when your annuals will get hit with a frost in the fall.
