Local planting guide · Mid-Atlantic
zip 19105
Philadelphia is in USDA hardiness zone 7b, with average winter lows of 5°F to 10°F. The local growing season runs roughly 04/02 through 11/10 (~224 days). This zip falls within the Mid-Atlantic growing region.
- USDA zone
- 7b 5°F to 10°F
- Last spring frost
- 04/02
- First fall frost
- 11/10
- Growing season
- 224 days
- Compatible crops
- 83
- Growing region
- Mid-Atlantic
Right now in Philadelphia
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Philadelphia
Philadelphia sits at the mild end of zone 7b, where winter lows rarely drop below 5 to 10°F but late spring frosts arrive as late as April 2. The growing season spans 224 days, extending into early November, which gives stone fruits and pome fruits a reliable window for ripening. The signature crops for this area are peaches, sour cherries, and European plums, all perform reliably in the Mid-Atlantic climate and tolerate the humid summers that characterize the region. Apples and pears thrive here too, though disease pressure requires cultivar selection for fungal resistance. The dominant constraint is not cold but rather spring frost timing. April 2 is late enough to catch fruit blossoms in a dangerous window: trees that flower in late March can see buds damaged by a frost event just before petal drop. Summer brings high humidity that favors fungal diseases, particularly brown rot in stone fruit and fire blight in apple. The growing season is long enough for warmth-loving crops like tomatoes and peppers, but early planning and quick turnover are required to clear space for fall crops before November's first frost.
Regional context · Mid-Atlantic
What the Mid-Atlantic brings to Philadelphia
Transition zone between North and South. Apples, peaches, grapes, and blueberries do well; long enough warm season for tomatoes and peppers, cool enough winter for stone-fruit chill.
Common challenges
Issues that most often defeat home gardeners in zone 7b, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ Cedar-apple rust pressure heavy in piedmont
- ▸ Japanese beetles
- ▸ Brown marmorated stink bug
- ▸ Late summer disease pressure
What defeats new gardeners in Philadelphia
Late spring frosts pose the highest risk to fruit crops in Philadelphia. Peach and cherry blossoms emerge in mid-March, then April 2 frost events can destroy entire crops before harvest begins. Variety selection matters: choosing later-blooming cultivars reduces exposure. Summer humidity creates perfect conditions for fungal diseases. Brown rot devastates peaches and plums in wet years; fire blight can girdle young apple trees in warm, humid springs. Bacterial spot thrives on cherry and plum foliage after rain. Disease management requires spray programs that many home gardeners find labor-intensive. Deer pressure increases in outer suburbs; a young orchard in Chester or Bucks County is extremely vulnerable to overnight browsing and bark damage during winter months when alternative forage is scarce.
Crops that grow in Philadelphia
83 crops from our catalog match zone 7b, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
15 crops
zone 7b Apple
Malus domestica
zones 3a–9a
zone 7b Pear
Pyrus communis
zones 4a–8b
zone 7b Peach
Prunus persica
zones 5a–9a
zone 7b European Plum
Prunus domestica
zones 4a–8a
zone 7b Japanese Plum
Prunus salicina
zones 5b–9a
zone 7b Sweet Cherry
Prunus avium
zones 5a–8a
zone 7b Sour Cherry
Prunus cerasus
zones 4a–7b
zone 7b Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
Berries
12 crops
zone 7b Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
zones 4a–7b
zone 7b Rabbiteye Blueberry
Vaccinium virgatum
zones 7a–9a
zone 7b Red Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
zones 3b–8a
zone 7b Black Raspberry
Rubus occidentalis
zones 4a–8a
zone 7b Yellow Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
zones 3b–8a
zone 7b Blackberry
Rubus subgenus Rubus
zones 5a–9a
zone 7b June-Bearing Strawberry
Fragaria x ananassa
zones 3a–8b
zone 7b Everbearing Strawberry
Fragaria x ananassa
zones 3b–9a
Nuts
6 crops
Vegetables
40 crops
zone 7b Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 7b Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 7b Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 7b Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 7b Potato
Solanum tuberosum
zones 3a–9a
zone 7b Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
zones 3a–9b
zone 7b Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
zones 3a–9a
zone 7b Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
zones 3b–9a
Herbs
10 crops
zone 7b Basil
Ocimum basilicum
zones 4a–10b
zone 7b Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
zones 3b–9b
zone 7b Cilantro / Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
zones 3b–9b
zone 7b Dill
Anethum graveolens
zones 3b–9a
zone 7b Oregano
Origanum vulgare
zones 4a–9b
zone 7b Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
zones 4a–9a
zone 7b Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
zones 7a–10b
zone 7b Sage
Salvia officinalis
zones 4a–9a
Plan the year
Planting calendar for Philadelphia
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Philadelphia's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Philadelphia, PA (zone 7b)
Quiet week in Philadelphia, PA (zone 7b). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
418 bars · 83 crops
Calendar logic combines NOAA frost normals with crop-specific timing data. Local microclimate and weather always overrules the calendar; use this as a starting point.
Top pests for zone 7b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
Multiple species (Aphididae)
Small soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that reproduce explosively in spring. Excrete honeydew that supports sooty mold and attracts ants. Transmit viral diseases.
Odocoileus species
Whitetail and mule deer browse can devastate orchards and gardens, particularly in winter when food is scarce. Antler rub on young trunks kills saplings outright.
Sylvilagus and Lepus species
Cottontails and jackrabbits strip bark from young fruit trees in winter and graze tender garden vegetables year-round, especially seedlings.
Popillia japonica
Defoliating beetle introduced to North America in 1916. Skeletonizes leaves of many fruit trees, berry canes, and pecan.
Multiple species (Chrysomelidae)
Tiny black or bronze jumping beetles that put hundreds of small holes in seedling leaves. Most damaging on direct-seeded brassicas and young eggplant.
Microtus species
Field voles and meadow voles girdle young fruit-tree trunks under snow cover during winter and chew root crops. The leading cause of mysterious orchard losses.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Tetranychus urticae
Tiny mite that feeds on leaf undersides, causing stippling and webbing during hot dry weather.
Top diseases for zone 7b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
Pseudoperonospora cubensis (cucurbits) and others
Water mold (oomycete, not a true fungus) that thrives in cool damp conditions. Spreads rapidly through cucurbit and brassica plantings on wind-borne spores.
Pythium and Rhizoctonia species
Soil-borne complex of water molds and fungi that kill seedlings before or shortly after emergence. The single most common cause of seed-starting failures.
Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, and others
Family of plant viruses producing mottled yellow-and-green leaf patterns. Vectored primarily by aphids; some are seed-transmitted or spread by handling tools and tobacco products.
Botrytis cinerea
Ubiquitous fungal disease that causes fruit rot during cool wet weather, often the dominant berry disease in humid regions.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Soil-borne bacterium that enters plants through wounds and induces tumor-like galls on roots, crown, and lower stems. Galls reduce vigor and shorten plant lifespan; on Rubus the disease is often fatal.
Fusarium oxysporum
Soil-borne fungal disease that plugs vascular tissue and kills affected plants. Persists in soil for many years; impossible to eliminate once established.
Sclerotium rolfsii
Soil-borne fungal disease most damaging in warm humid Southern conditions. White mycelial fans and small mustard-seed-sized sclerotia at the soil line are diagnostic.
Plasmodiophora brassicae
Soil-borne disease causing characteristic distorted club-shaped roots on brassicas. Persists in soil for 10-20 years; the dominant brassica pathogen in acidic poorly-drained soils.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 7b.
- Peach + Garlic
Garlic planted around peach trees suppresses peach borer and provides general fungal-pressure reduction.
- European Plum + Garlic
Garlic discourages plum curculio and provides general antifungal benefit beneath stone fruit.
- Fig + Rosemary
Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.
- American Persimmon + Pawpaw
Both natives thrive in similar soils and contribute to a polyculture that supports native pollinators and fauna.
- Jujube + Thyme
Thyme groundcover suits jujube's low-water profile and deters cabbage moth and aphid populations.
- Apricot + Basil
Basil's volatile oils discourage stone-fruit pests and support pollinator visits.
Soil types reference
Soil texture and pH decide what grows easily on your specific lot. Find the closest match below for crop recommendations and amendment guidance.
Practical tips for Philadelphia
Plant frost-susceptible trees such as peaches on north-facing slopes or in areas with early morning shade to delay bloom by a week or two and reduce exposure to late April frosts. For fungal disease management, select disease-resistant varieties when available, look for apples rated for fire blight resistance and peaches with brown rot tolerance. Space trees for good air circulation and prune in winter to encourage airflow within the canopy. Start tomatoes indoors in early March to transplant after the April 2 last frost; the 224-day season supports indeterminate varieties that continue producing through September and into early October.
Frequently asked questions
- What fruit trees grow best in Philadelphia?
Stone fruits excel here: peaches, sour cherries, and European plums are reliable and disease-tolerant. Apples and pears also thrive, though disease-resistant cultivars are essential for the humid summers. Figs are marginal in zone 7b and require winter protection; expect occasional winter damage in most years.
- When do I start tomatoes indoors in Philadelphia?
With a last spring frost date of April 2, start seeds indoors in early March, about 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting. Harden off seedlings outdoors in late March, then transplant after April 2. The 224-day growing season supports full-size indeterminate plants if you provide stakes or cages.
- How do I protect fruit blossoms from late frosts?
Late spring frosts threaten peaches and cherries that bloom in March. Plant on north-facing slopes to delay bloom slightly, and keep frost cloth or burlap on hand for April. For established trees, overhead sprinklers running before dawn can protect blossoms by creating an ice layer that insulates the buds.
- What's the biggest weather risk in Philadelphia?
Late spring frosts in April pose the highest risk to fruit crops. A frost event after trees break dormancy can wipe out an entire year's production. Secondary risk is summer humidity driving fungal diseases like brown rot and fire blight; resistant varieties are essential for reliable harvests.
- Can I grow warm-season crops like peppers and eggplant?
Yes. The 224-day growing season supports both crops if you start transplants indoors in March and transplant outdoors after April 2. Peppers appreciate warm soil and full sun; black plastic mulch or row covers in May accelerate early growth.
- What should I plant in late summer for fall harvest?
Direct-sow or transplant cool-season crops in late July and August: leafy greens, brassicas (kale, broccoli, cabbage), root crops (carrots, beets, turnips), and peas. You have until November 10 (first fall frost) to harvest, allowing two full successions of greens or one season of winter squash.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00013739. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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