State guides · Pennsylvania · Planting calendar
Pennsylvania planting calendar by town
When to start seeds, sow and plant 46 vegetables in 70 Pennsylvania towns. Pick your town and every date shifts to its own frost dates from NOAA.
Tomato transplants go out from April 18 in Philadelphia to June 9 in Kane. Peas can be sown from March 2 in Philadelphia to April 23 in Kane. In Lock Haven, sow peas March 30–May 15, set out tomatoes May 16–July 5 and plant garlic Oct. 10–Nov. 10. Checked Nov. 13, 2026.
Your planting dates
Town not listed? Use your own frost dates
The fall frost has to come after the spring frost.
| Sow peas | March 30–May 15 |
| Plant potatoes | March 30–May 30 |
| Set out tomatoes | May 16–July 5 |
| Plant garlic | Oct. 10–Nov. 10 |
Lock Haven planting dates
46 of 46 crops
| Crop | Spring planting | Summer & fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Onions | Start indoors Feb. 16–March 15 Set out transplants April 16–May 15 | — |
| Cabbage | Start indoors March 2–March 30 Set out transplants March 30–April 30 | Start indoors June 10–July 10 Set out transplants July 10–Aug. 10 |
| Broccoli | Start indoors March 7–April 15 Set out transplants April 16–May 15 | Start indoors June 15–July 5 Set out transplants July 15–Aug. 5 |
| Cauliflower | Start indoors March 16–April 15 Set out transplants April 16–May 15 | Start indoors May 27–June 25 Set out transplants June 26–July 26 |
| Collards | Start indoors March 16–May 15 Set out transplants April 16–June 15 | Start indoors May 27–July 5 Set out transplants June 26–Aug. 5 |
| Head lettuce | Start indoors March 16–April 15 Set out transplants April 16–May 15 | Start indoors June 26–July 9 Set out transplants July 27–Aug. 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outside March 23–May 6 | Sow outside July 27–Sept. 5 |
| Arugula | Sow outside March 30–June 15 | Sow outside July 27–Sept. 25 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns March 30–April 30 | — |
| Chinese cabbageSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside March 30–May 15 | Sow outside June 26–Aug. 2 |
| GarlicPenn State: plant fall garlic as late as you can to dodge allium leafminer. | Plant cloves March 30–April 30 | Plant cloves Oct. 10–Nov. 10 |
| Leaf lettuceSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside March 30–June 15 | Sow outside July 10–Aug. 26 |
| PeasPenn State: peas sprout once soil tops 40°F and stop setting blossoms above 85°F. | Sow outside March 30–May 15 | — |
| PeppersPenn State: set out once nights run near 60°F and days near 70°F. | Start indoors March 30–April 30 Set out transplants May 30–June 30 | — |
| PotatoesPenn State: seed potatoes can take a light frost. | Plant seed potatoes March 30–May 30 | — |
| RadishesPenn State: sow in place; transplanting can misshape roots. | Sow outside March 30–May 25 | Sow outside July 10–Sept. 10 |
| TomatoesPenn State: set out once nights run near 60°F and days near 70°F. | Start indoors March 30–May 16 Set out transplants May 16–July 5 | — |
| TurnipsPenn State: sow in place; transplanting can misshape roots. | Sow outside March 30–May 15 | Sow outside July 3–Aug. 26 |
| ShallotsSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 4–May 15 | Sow outside Sept. 15–Oct. 10 |
| Tomatillos | Start indoors April 4–April 30 Set out transplants May 16–June 30 | — |
| Beets | Sow outside April 16–July 26 | — |
| Bok choySeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 16–May 22 | Sow outside Aug. 3–Sept. 2 |
| EggplantPenn State: set out once nights run near 60°F and days near 70°F. | Start indoors April 16–May 15 Set out transplants May 30–June 30 | — |
| KaleSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 16–May 6 | Sow outside July 3–Aug. 10 |
| KohlrabiSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 16–May 30 | Sow outside June 26–Aug. 10 |
| LeeksSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 16–May 15 | — |
| Mustard greensSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 16–May 30 | Sow outside July 10–Aug. 10 |
| Parsley | Sow outside April 16–May 15 | — |
| ParsnipsPenn State: sow in place; transplanting can misshape roots. | Sow outside April 16–May 15 | — |
| Romaine lettuceSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 16–May 30 | Sow outside July 10–Aug. 26 |
| Brussels sprouts | — | Start indoors April 26–May 26 Set out transplants June 10–July 10 |
| CarrotsPenn State: sow in place; transplanting can misshape roots. | Sow outside April 30–June 15 | Sow outside June 10–July 26 |
| Sweet potatoes | Sprout slips indoors April 30–May 30 Set out slips May 30–June 30 | — |
| Swiss chardSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 30–July 16 | — |
| Green beans (snap beans)Penn State: sow bush beans every two weeks for a steady harvest. | Sow outside May 16–Aug. 2 | — |
| Ground cherriesSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 16–June 22 | — |
| Summer squash and zucchiniSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 16–June 30 | — |
| Sweet cornPenn State: plant at intervals for a staggered harvest. | Sow outside May 16–July 5 | — |
| OkraSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 23–June 15 | — |
| Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Seed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 30–June 30 | — |
| CucumbersSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 30–July 10 | — |
| Lima beans | Sow outside May 30–July 10 | — |
| PumpkinsSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 30–June 30 | — |
| WatermelonSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 30–June 30 | — |
| Winter squashSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 30–June 30 | — |
| RutabagasPenn State: sow in place; transplanting can misshape roots. | — | Sow outside June 26–July 26 |
Frost dates here are medians: in about half of years a freeze still comes after the spring date, and in about half the first fall freeze comes before the fall date. Watch the forecast and cover tender plants. Crops are sorted by their first date.
When to plant vegetables across Pennsylvania
The first outdoor date for popular crops in five towns, south to north. Spring dates run about 7 weeks later in Coudersport than in Philadelphia.
| Crop | Philadelphia | Harrisburg | Pittsburgh | Lock Haven | Coudersport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peas sow outside | March 2 | March 15 | March 23 | March 30 | April 21 |
| Spinach sow outside | Feb. 23 | March 8 | March 16 | March 23 | April 14 |
| Potatoes plant seed potatoes | March 2 | March 15 | March 23 | March 30 | April 21 |
| Onions set out transplants | March 19 | April 1 | April 9 | April 16 | May 8 |
| Broccoli set out transplants | March 19 | April 1 | April 9 | April 16 | May 8 |
| Cabbage set out transplants | March 2 | March 15 | March 23 | March 30 | April 21 |
| Leaf lettuce sow outside | March 2 | March 15 | March 23 | March 30 | April 21 |
| Carrots sow outside | April 2 | April 15 | April 23 | April 30 | May 22 |
| Green beans (snap beans) sow outside | April 18 | May 1 | May 9 | May 16 | June 7 |
| Sweet corn sow outside | April 18 | May 1 | May 9 | May 16 | June 7 |
| Tomatoes set out transplants | April 18 | May 1 | May 9 | May 16 | June 7 |
| Peppers set out transplants | May 2 | May 15 | May 23 | May 30 | June 21 |
| Summer squash and zucchini sow outside | April 18 | May 1 | May 9 | May 16 | June 7 |
| Cucumbers sow outside | May 2 | May 15 | May 23 | May 30 | June 21 |
| Pumpkins sow outside | May 2 | May 15 | May 23 | May 30 | June 21 |
| Garlic plant cloves, fall | Oct. 31 | Oct. 13 | Oct. 13 | Oct. 10 | Sept. 21 |
| Median last frost | April 2 | April 15 | April 23 | April 30 | May 22 |
| Median first frost | Nov. 10 | Oct. 23 | Oct. 23 | Oct. 20 | Oct. 1 |
Pick any of the 70 towns in the calendar above for the full windows, not just the first date.
What to plant each month in central Pennsylvania
Month by month on Lock Haven’s frost dates (median last frost April 30, first frost Oct. 20). Towns to the south and in the river valleys run earlier; the northern tier and the ridges run later. Use the calendar above for your town.
- Start indoors: onions
- Start indoors: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, head lettuce, onions, peppers, tomatoes
- Sow outside: arugula, Chinese cabbage, leaf lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips
- Set out transplants: cabbage
- Plant crowns: asparagus
- Plant cloves: garlic
- Plant seed potatoes: potatoes
- Start indoors: broccoli, cauliflower, collards, eggplant, head lettuce, peppers, tomatillos, tomatoes
- Sprout slips indoors: sweet potatoes
- Sow outside: arugula, beets, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, carrots, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, mustard greens, parsley, parsnips, peas, radishes, shallots, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips
- Set out transplants: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, head lettuce, onions
- Plant crowns: asparagus
- Plant cloves: garlic
- Plant seed potatoes: potatoes
- Start indoors (fall crop): Brussels sprouts
- Start indoors: collards, eggplant, tomatoes
- Sprout slips indoors: sweet potatoes
- Sow outside: arugula, lima beans, green beans, beets, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cucumbers, ground cherries, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, mustard greens, okra, parsley, parsnips, peas, pumpkins, radishes, shallots, spinach, summer squash and zucchini, winter squash, sweet corn, Swiss chard, turnips, watermelon
- Set out transplants: broccoli, cauliflower, collards, eggplant, head lettuce, onions, peppers, tomatillos, tomatoes
- Set out slips: sweet potatoes
- Plant seed potatoes: potatoes
- Start indoors (fall crop): Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards
- Sow outside: arugula, lima beans, green beans, beets, cantaloupe, carrots, cucumbers, ground cherries, leaf lettuce, okra, pumpkins, summer squash and zucchini, winter squash, sweet corn, Swiss chard, watermelon
- Set out transplants: collards, eggplant, peppers, tomatillos, tomatoes
- Set out slips: sweet potatoes
- Start indoors (fall crop): broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, head lettuce
- Sow outside (fall crop): Chinese cabbage, carrots, kohlrabi, rutabagas
- Set out transplants (fall crop): Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards
- Sow outside: lima beans, green beans, beets, cucumbers, sweet corn, Swiss chard
- Set out transplants: tomatoes
- Start indoors (fall crop): broccoli, cabbage, collards, head lettuce
- Sow outside (fall crop): arugula, Chinese cabbage, carrots, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, mustard greens, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, turnips
- Set out transplants (fall crop): broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, head lettuce
- Sow outside: green beans
- Sow outside (fall crop): arugula, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, mustard greens, radishes, spinach, turnips
- Set out transplants (fall crop): broccoli, cabbage, collards, head lettuce
- Sow outside (fall crop): arugula, bok choy, radishes, shallots, spinach
- Sow outside (fall crop): shallots
- Plant cloves (fall crop): garlic
- Plant cloves (fall crop): garlic
How these dates are set
We start from the University of Maryland Extension’s vegetable planting calendar, which gives planting windows for central Maryland built around an April 15 last frost and an October 25 first frost. For each Pennsylvania town we move those dates by the gap between Maryland’s frost dates and the town’s median 32°F freeze dates from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals. Spring dates move with your last frost. Summer and fall sowing deadlines, which have to leave time for a harvest, move with your first frost.
Where the source says mid-month we use the 15th; early ends on the 10th and late starts on the 20th. In the coldest towns a few warm crops show a single date marked short season: there is no window left, so plant right on that date or use transplants. Crops noted “seed, or transplants for an earlier crop” are the ones the Maryland calendar says can also go in as seedlings.
Two rules from Penn State Extension sit underneath all of it. Cool-season crops such as peas, spinach, lettuce, cabbage and broccoli can go in from several weeks to a couple of months before the last frost. Warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash and corn always go in after it. Soil temperature matters as much as the calendar. The Maryland calendar notes that beans, cucumbers, melons and similar crops need soil of at least 60°F to sprout, and cool, wet soil slows germination and leaves seed prone to rot.
Questions
When is the last frost in Pennsylvania?
It depends on the town. Median last 32°F freezes run from April 2 in Philadelphia to May 24 in Kane. Lock Haven’s is April 30. Half of years still bring a freeze after the median date.
When should I plant tomatoes in Pennsylvania?
Set transplants out starting about two weeks after your median last frost: April 18 in Philadelphia, May 16 in Lock Haven and June 9 in Kane. Start seeds indoors about seven weeks before that. Penn State advises waiting until nights run near 60°F.
When do you plant peas in Pennsylvania?
Folklore says St. Patrick’s Day. On frost dates, peas go in from March 2 in Philadelphia to April 23 in Kane; Lock Haven’s window is March 30–May 15. Penn State notes peas sprout once soil tops 40°F.
When do you plant potatoes in Pennsylvania?
Seed potatoes go in from about a month before the last frost. Lock Haven’s window is March 30–May 30; Philadelphia can start March 2 and Kane waits until April 23. Penn State notes they can take a light frost.
When do you plant garlic in Pennsylvania?
In fall, from Sept. 17 in Clarence to Oct. 31 in Philadelphia; Lock Haven’s window is Oct. 10–Nov. 10. Penn State recommends planting as late in fall as you can so the garlic only grows a few inches before winter, which keeps allium leafminer from laying eggs in it.
Can I plant a fall garden in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Cool-season crops sown in summer finish in fall. In Lock Haven, sow fall spinach July 27–Sept. 5, fall lettuce July 10–Aug. 26 and fall kale July 3–Aug. 10. The calendar’s right-hand column lists every summer and fall window for your town.
Where do these planting dates come from?
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension’s vegetable planting calendar, shifted to each town’s median freeze dates from NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, with Penn State Extension guidance for Pennsylvania. Seed packets and your own soil still have the last word.
More Pennsylvania guides
- Rainfall, snowfall and frost dates by town
- Planting calendar for every state
- Quarries and ready-mix plants by county
- Hardiness zone by ZIP code
- When to seed grass in Pennsylvania
- Soil testing in Pennsylvania
- What weed is this? Garden weed finder
Sources: University of Maryland Extension, When to Plant Vegetables (updated Aug. 3, 2026); NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020; Penn State Extension, Cool-season vs. Warm-season Vegetables; Penn State Extension, Starting Your Summer Vegetable Garden: Seeds or Transplants?; Penn State Extension, Plant Garlic Late to Avoid Allium Leafminer. Checked Nov. 13, 2026.
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Cite as: Muthler Landscaping & Construction, “Pennsylvania Planting Calendar by Town,” https://muthlerlandscaping.com/state-guides/pennsylvania/planting-calendar/ (last checked November 13, 2026).
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