Local planting guide · Mid-Atlantic
zip 19111
Philadelphia is in USDA hardiness zone 7b, with average winter lows of 5°F to 10°F. The local growing season runs roughly 04/04 through 11/07 (~216 days). This zip falls within the Mid-Atlantic growing region.
- USDA zone
- 7b 5°F to 10°F
- Last spring frost
- 04/04
- First fall frost
- 11/07
- Growing season
- 216 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's zone 7b climate supports reliable fruit tree growing across apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, and figs, though the region's variable spring and humid summers present specific challenges. The last spring frost typically arrives April 4, while the first fall frost comes November 7, providing a 216-day growing season according to NOAA Climate Normals that is long enough for most tree fruits to mature but short enough that late-planted saplings may not harden off before winter. The listed crops all thrive in the area when selected for disease resistance and matched to site conditions. Philadelphia's urban and suburban landscape compounds typical zone 7b challenges: soil pH tends toward alkaline in older neighborhoods, summer humidity creates ideal conditions for fungal diseases, and the transition seasons are volatile. April and May freezes frequently devastate flowers on early-blooming varieties even after warm spells in March. Late May heat stresses young transplants. Late autumn brings sudden temperature swings that trigger confusion in dormancy. Success depends less on zone compatibility and more on understanding local microclimate, disease pressure, and the narrow calendar between last spring frost and peak summer heat.
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 frost stands out as the defining challenge. Peach, sweet cherry, and early apricot varieties often break dormancy by late March during warm spells, leaving flower buds vulnerable to April freezes. April freezes after the 4th are statistically less common but historically occur 2 to 4 years per decade, causing complete crop failure. High humidity from May through September creates fire blight pressure on pears and susceptible apple varieties, powdery mildew on younger growth, and bacterial spot on stone fruits. Extended wet periods are typical. A third issue is the alkaline pH of many older soils, which induces iron chlorosis and reduces disease-fighting vigor. Urban tree pits and compacted soil also restrict root depth and drainage.
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
Monitor late-March and early-April forecasts closely. A single hard frost between bloom and petal fall eliminates an entire season's crop. Keep frost cloth or burlap ready for high-value plantings; deployment through May 15 is insurance against the April 4 average date. Second, prioritize fire-blight-resistant apple and pear varieties, avoiding the most susceptible cultivars in high-humidity years. Third, for tomatoes, direct seed or transplant after May 15 to avoid cool, wet soil and unpredictable May frosts that stunt growth. High-heat varieties often outperform standard slicing types in Philadelphia's humid summers. Succession planting every two weeks from late May through late July extends harvest through the first frost date in November.
Frequently asked questions
- What fruit trees are the best choice for Philadelphia?
Apples, pears, and cherries are the most reliable, with peaches and plums performing well in good sites. Choose fire-blight-resistant pear and apple varieties. Sour cherry and early-harvest sweet cherry avoid late-season humidity spikes. Figs grow reliably if given a south-facing wall and winter mulch protection.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Philadelphia?
Direct seed or transplant tomatoes after May 15, well past the April 4 last frost date. Soil should be at least 60°F; waiting until late May ensures warmer, drier soil and stronger root establishment, offsetting the shorter season.
- What is the biggest weather risk for fruit trees in Philadelphia?
Late spring frost damage to early-blooming varieties (peach, sweet cherry, early pears) is the single largest cause of crop failure. Warm March spells break dormancy early, leaving flowers vulnerable to April freezes. Frost cloth readiness through mid-May is the most practical defense.
- How do I manage fire blight on pears and apples?
Select resistant varieties where possible. Prune out blighted branches in dry, cool weather, sterilizing tools between cuts. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer in spring, which promotes soft, blight-prone growth. Rake and dispose of fallen leaves to reduce overwintering inoculum.
- Can I grow citrus or other southern crops in Philadelphia?
Citrus does not overwinter reliably in zone 7b; grow in containers and move indoors. Figs are borderline hardy on south-facing walls. Hardy kiwi and pawpaw offer similar appeal and are reliably winter-hardy.
- What should I know about the growing season length?
The frost-free season runs April 4 to November 7 (216 days per NOAA data). This is long enough for tree fruits and tomatoes, but short enough that plantings after mid-May may not establish winter hardiness. Work backward from November 7 when planning late-season crops.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00094732. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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