In Philadelphia, the average last spring frost is Apr 12 and the average first fall frost is Nov 1, a growing season of about 203 days (zone 7b). Start tomatoes indoors around Mar 1 and move them outside from Apr 26. Plant garlic Nov 8 to Nov 15, one to two weeks after the first fall frost.
Philadelphia at a glance
- Last spring frost
- Apr 12 (average)
- First fall frost
- Nov 1 (average)
- Frost-free season
- About 203 days
- Hardiness zone
- 7b (USDA)
- Weather stations
- Phila Franklin Inst, PA; Pennsauken 1N, NJ; and Moorestown, NJ, 1991 to 2020 normals. GrowSmart's dates are the median of these stations, to within 3 days
An average frost date means frost is still possible after it in about half of years. GrowSmart times tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil after this date, not on it.
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (January)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Philadelphia in January. Next up: start onions indoors on Feb 1.
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (February)
- Start onions indoors: Feb 1
Coming up in early March: start tomatoes indoors (Mar 1), start peppers indoors (Mar 1), start eggplant indoors (Mar 1), start lettuce indoors (Mar 1), start kale indoors (Mar 8), start broccoli indoors (Mar 8) and start cabbage indoors (Mar 8).
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (March)
- Start tomatoes indoors: Mar 1
- Start peppers indoors: Mar 1
- Start eggplant indoors: Mar 1
- Start lettuce indoors: Mar 1
- Start kale indoors: Mar 8
- Start broccoli indoors: Mar 8
- Start cabbage indoors: Mar 8
- Start basil indoors: Mar 15
- Direct sow spinach: Mar 22
- Direct sow peas: Mar 22
- Direct sow radishes: Mar 22
- Transplant lettuce: Mar 29
- Direct sow carrots: Mar 29
- Start cucumbers indoors: Mar 29
- Start zucchini indoors: Mar 29
- Start winter squash indoors: Mar 29
Coming up in early April: direct sow beets (Apr 5), transplant kale (Apr 5), transplant broccoli (Apr 5), transplant cabbage (Apr 5), direct sow potatoes (Apr 5) and transplant onions (Apr 12).
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (April)
- Direct sow beets: Apr 5
- Transplant kale: Apr 5
- Transplant broccoli: Apr 5
- Transplant cabbage: Apr 5
- Direct sow potatoes: Apr 5
- Transplant onions: Apr 12
- Transplant cucumbers: Apr 19
- Transplant zucchini: Apr 19
- Transplant winter squash: Apr 19
- Direct sow beans: Apr 19
- Transplant tomatoes: Apr 26
- Transplant peppers: Apr 26
- Transplant eggplant: Apr 26
- Transplant basil: Apr 26
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (May)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Philadelphia in May. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 23.
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (June)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Philadelphia in June. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 23.
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (July)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Philadelphia in July. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 23.
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (August)
- Sow peas for a fall harvest: Aug 23
- Sow kale for a fall harvest: Aug 23
Coming up in early September: sow lettuce for a fall harvest (Sep 6) and sow spinach for a fall harvest (Sep 13).
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (September)
- Sow lettuce for a fall harvest: Sep 6
- Sow spinach for a fall harvest: Sep 13
- Sow radishes for a fall harvest: Sep 27
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (October)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Philadelphia in October. Next up: plant garlic on Nov 8.
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (November)
- Plant garlic: Nov 8 to Nov 15
What to plant in Philadelphia this month (December)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Philadelphia in December. Next up: start onions indoors on Feb 1.
Philadelphia planting calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 | Transplant Apr 26 | From Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Mar 1 | Transplant Apr 26 | From Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 | Transplant Apr 26 | From Jul 10 |
| Basil | Mar 15 | Transplant Apr 26 | From Jun 7 |
| Onions (from seed) | Feb 1 | Transplant Apr 12 | From Jul 21 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Transplant Mar 29Fall: direct sow Sep 6 | From May 8Fall: from Oct 16 |
| Spinach | n/a | Direct sow Mar 22Fall: direct sow Sep 13 | From May 1Fall: from Oct 23 |
| Peas | n/a | Direct sow Mar 22Fall: direct sow Aug 23 | From May 21Fall: from Oct 22 |
| Radishes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 22Fall: direct sow Sep 27 | From Apr 16Fall: from Oct 22 |
| Carrots | n/a | Direct sow Mar 29 | From Jun 7 |
| Beets | n/a | Direct sow Apr 5 | From May 30 |
| Kale | Mar 8 | Transplant Apr 5Fall: direct sow Aug 23 | From May 30Fall: from Oct 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 | Transplant Apr 5 | From Jun 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 | Transplant Apr 5 | From Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 | Transplant Apr 19 | From Jun 13 |
| Zucchini | Mar 29 | Transplant Apr 19 | From Jun 8 |
| Winter squash | Mar 29 | Transplant Apr 19 | From Jul 18 |
| Beans | n/a | Direct sow Apr 19 | From Jun 13 |
| Potatoes | n/a | Direct sow Apr 5 | From Jun 24 |
| Garlic | n/a | Plant cloves Nov 8 to Nov 15 | Around Jul 5 the next year |
Dates are for one planting of each crop, from Philadelphia's average frost dates. Tomatoes are indeterminate, lettuce is looseleaf and beans are bush beans. Harvest dates are when the first picking is usually ready. Garlic follows University of Minnesota Extension (see below).
Fall planting in Philadelphia
Plant garlic Nov 8 to Nov 15. That is one to two weeks after Philadelphia's average first fall frost of Nov 1, the timing University of Minnesota Extension recommends, so the cloves root before winter without sending shoots up. Harvest comes around Jul 5 the following summer.
Shallots: GrowSmart's plan has you plant shallot sets in fall in zone 5 and warmer, and in spring in colder zones.
Cool-season crops GrowSmart schedules for a fall harvest in Philadelphia:
- Peas: sow Aug 23, ready from about Oct 22
- Kale: sow Aug 23, ready from about Oct 17
- Lettuce: sow Sep 6, ready from about Oct 16
- Spinach: sow Sep 13, ready from about Oct 23
- Radishes: sow Sep 27, ready from about Oct 22
Nearby planting calendars
Philadelphia planting questions
When is the last frost in Philadelphia?
The average last spring frost in Philadelphia is Apr 12, and the average first fall frost is Nov 1, from 1991 to 2020 climate normals at 3 nearby weather stations. Frost is still possible after the spring date in about half of years.
When should I start tomato seeds in Philadelphia?
Start tomatoes indoors around Mar 1, 8 weeks before moving them outside around Apr 26, which is two weeks after the average last frost.
What can I plant in Philadelphia in fall?
Garlic goes in Nov 8 to Nov 15. For fall harvests, sow peas and kale around Aug 23, lettuce around Sep 6, spinach around Sep 13 and radishes around Sep 27.