Chester, PA planting zone & frost dates
Chester is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 30 and the first fall frost around November 16, for a growing season of about 230 days.
Planting calendar for Chester
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 30) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 21 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 16).
Useful for zone 7b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 16 | Mar 30 | Apr 9 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 2 | Nov 16 | Nov 2 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 9, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 2. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 20.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Chester
- 19013 zone 7b
- 19016 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Springfield zone 7b, last frost Apr 2
- Drexel Hill zone 7b, last frost Apr 2
- Darby zone 7b, last frost Apr 2
- Lansdowne zone 7b, last frost Apr 2
- Broomall zone 7b, last frost Apr 8
- Yeadon zone 7b, last frost Mar 30
- Havertown zone 7b, last frost Mar 30
- Ardmore zone 7b, last frost Mar 30
Questions
What growing zone is Chester, PA?
Chester is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8a.
When is the last frost in Chester?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Chester is March 30. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 9.
When can I plant tomatoes in Chester?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 6 – Apr 13. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Marcus Hook, PA (USC00365390), 6.5 km (4.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 3 m, based on 15 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.