Planting dates for Philadelphia
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Phila Intl Ap 72408, the official station 10 km from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Philadelphia (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | February 19 | April 9 |
| Pepper | February 5 | April 16 |
| Peas | – | February 26 |
| Lettuce | February 5 | March 5 |
| Carrot | – | March 12 |
| Bush beans | – | April 9 |
| Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | March 19 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Philadelphia planting questions
When is the last frost in Philadelphia?
Around April 2, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Phila Intl Ap 72408, the official station 10 km from Philadelphia. Half of years see frost after the mean, so tender crops usually wait a week or more past it.
When can I plant tomatoes in Philadelphia?
Start seeds indoors around February 19 and transplant around April 9, once nights hold above 50F. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Philadelphia.
How long is the growing season in Philadelphia?
About 224 frost-free days on average, from roughly April 2 to November 10. Crops whose days-to-maturity exceed that window need transplants, short-season varieties, or season extension.
How this page was made
Every date above is computed from the NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals at Phila Intl Ap 72408: the 30-year mean dates of last spring and first fall frost, with crop offsets from standard horticultural practice. Full method and crop sources: data and methodology. These are planning averages, not forecasts: half of years frost later than the mean, so harden off transplants and watch the local forecast at the shoulders of the season.
More for Philadelphia: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 2697 stations.