Local planting guide · Mid-Atlantic
zip 19113
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 in USDA zone 7b with winter lows averaging 5-10°F. The growing season spans April 2 through November 10, a 224-day window sufficient for tree fruits (apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries) and most common vegetables. However, the late spring frost date is the dominant constraint. Early-blooming fruit trees and ornamentals often set flowers in late March, only to lose them to spring freezes. The urban and suburban character of the area creates microclimates: dense development generates heat-island effects that can push tender plants earlier, while shaded yards and low-lying areas remain cold longer. Summer humidity is persistent, particularly from late June through August, which favors fungal diseases across a range of crops. Soil pH tends toward neutral to slightly alkaline, requiring amendment for acid-loving plants. Peaches and Japanese plums are more reliable here than in colder zone 7a; figs and sweet cherries are marginal but possible with careful site selection. European plums and pears consistently produce.
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
The April 2 frost date is deceptive. Many early-blooming trees (apples, ornamental cherries, magnolias) break dormancy in late March; a warm spell followed by spring frost then damages flowers and cuts fruit set significantly. Fungal diseases thrive in the humid summers, particularly in yards with poor air circulation; powdery mildew, apple scab, brown rot on stone fruits, and late blight on potatoes and tomatoes are persistent problems. Summer drought is common despite adequate annual precipitation; rain often falls heavily in spring, leaving July through August dry and hot. Japanese beetle pressure peaks in early July and can defoliate plantings if unmanaged.
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
Delay transplanting tender crops until mid-April, a full two weeks after the last frost date, to avoid setbacks from late cold snaps. Early April sowings of tomatoes and peppers often require protection or replanting. Second, select disease-resistant varieties wherever available, especially apple scab-resistant apples and mildew-resistant plantings, since fungal pressure is high. Third, succession-plant cool-season crops (lettuce, spinach, brassicas) from late July onward to take advantage of the long fall; the 111-day window from April 2 to November 10 allows two complete rounds of cool-season growth, and soil remains warm enough through mid-October for quick establishment.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most reliable crops for Philadelphia?
Apples, pears, European plums, peaches, and both sour and sweet cherries thrive in zone 7b and the 224-day growing season. Figs and Japanese plums are possible but marginal. Most common vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, corn) succeed with appropriate variety selection.
- When should I start tomato and pepper seeds indoors?
Start tomatoes and peppers indoors 6-8 weeks before April 2 (the last spring frost date), around mid-February. Transplant outdoors only after mid-April, when soil has warmed and frost risk has dropped significantly. Early April transplants often stall or need replacement.
- What's the biggest weather threat in Philadelphia gardens?
Late spring frost damage to early-blooming fruit trees and ornamentals. Warm spells in March trigger dormancy break and flowering, then spring freezes damage flowers and reduce fruit set. Frost protection (cloth, sprinklers) for valuable plantings is wise.
- How serious is fungal disease pressure here?
Humidity from June through August favors powdery mildew, apple scab, brown rot, and late blight. Plant disease-resistant varieties and ensure good air circulation. Copper and sulfur fungicides help but cannot replace variety resistance in a humid climate.
- Can I grow figs or sweet cherries in Philadelphia?
Both are marginal in zone 7b. Success requires full sun, south-facing exposure, excellent drainage, and windbreak protection. Winter damage to fig canes or reduced cherry productivity happens in many years. European plums and sour cherries are far more reliable.
- What about fall gardening? Is the season long enough for a second round of crops?
Yes. The first fall frost averages November 10, giving a 111-day fall window. This allows two complete cycles of cool-season crops (lettuce, spinach, brassicas) from late July through October. Soil remains warm enough for rapid establishment through mid-October.
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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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