Northeast Pennsylvania is in USDA planting zones 5b, 6a, 6b, and 7a, meaning temperatures drop as low as -15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Some areas are warmer, experiencing average low temperatures between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
We know how important a picturesque landscape and a yard full of lush and healthy grass are to homeowners. This article helps you understand your zone so you can choose plants and grass seed hardy enough to thrive in your area’s weather conditions.
Northeast Pennsylvania planting zone map
The northeast corner of the Keystone State has milder summers than elsewhere. Winters are frigid and snowfall can be heavy. The northeast is in zones 5b through 7a, with most of the area in 6a. Zone 5b is the next largest zone in this corner of the state.
The northeast region has the shortest growing season, averaging about 157 days. The average last and first frost dates depend upon location. Typically, the last frost happens between April 30 and May 14. The average first frost dates occur between October 1 and October 13.
Are you wondering how your zone classification helps you build the best garden and lawn? Check out our article, How to Use the Plant Hardiness Zone Map in Your Yard, to find out.
Here’s the USDA Hardiness Zone Map for Northeast Pennsylvania:
Zone 5b: Susquehanna and Wayne counties
Zone 5b experiences some of the coldest temperatures. On average, extremes range between -15 and -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Regions of Susquehanna and Wayne counties are the only victims of these cold temperatures.
Zone 6a: Parts of most counties
Zone 6a is a little warmer, with minimum temperatures averaging between -10 and -5 degrees Fahrenheit. Parts of Susquehanna and Wayne counties are in this zone. Nearly all of the northeastern counties have areas in this zone.
Zone 6b: Pike and Northampton counties
The lowest average temperatures in zone 6b range between -5 and 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This zone covers parts of counties like Pike down to Northampton. Hazleton is an example of one of the cities in zone 6b.
Zone 7a: Wilkes-Barre area
Zone 7a comprises the smallest area of the northeast. It is also the warmest, with average lows from 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The city of Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County and parts of Northampton County are some locations covered by this zone.
Other lawn care and landscaping guides for northeast Pennsylvania
If you’d like more gardening and lawn care tips for Pennsylvania, visit the following guides:
- Planting Zones of Pennsylvania
- When to Plant Grass Seed in Pennsylvania
- Year-Round Pennsylvania Lawn Care Schedule
- When to Aerate Your Lawn in Pennsylvania
- When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Pennsylvania
- When to Stop Mowing Your Lawn in Pennsylvania
- The Most Common Weeds in Pennsylvania
Call a professional
Whether you’re in the coldest zone for the northeastern area, zone 5b, or one of the warmest, you want to choose plants that will thrive and make your landscape beautiful. Don’t waste time trying to figure it out yourself. Lawn Love has landscaping and lawn care pros throughout the northeastern area, including cities like Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Nanticoke, and Carbondale. Our experts are ready to create and maintain a yard you’ll be proud to come home to.
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Main Image Credit: Doug Kerr | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
