Pennsylvania growing guide: zones, planting dates and where to start

Zones across Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania covers USDA Zones 6a–7b on our calendar. A date that works in one part of the state can be weeks off in another, so plant by your zone, not the state.

• Zone 6a — State College and the central ridges. Average last frost 05/01, first frost 10/01 (about 153 frost-free days).
• Zone 6b — Lancaster County, Philadelphia and the southeast. Average last frost 04/24, first frost 10/08 (about 167 frost-free days).
• Zone 7b — Center City Philadelphia. Average last frost 04/08, first frost 10/22 (about 197 frost-free days).

Spring dates for Lancaster County and the southeast (Zone 6b)

• Tomatoes: set out May 1 – May 22; fall June 25 – July 16
• Peppers: set out May 8 – May 29; fall July 9 – July 30
• Sweet corn: seed April 24 – May 15; fall July 9 – July 30
• Cucumbers: set out May 1 – May 22; fall July 23 – August 13
• Summer squash: seed May 1 – May 22; fall July 30 – August 20
• Green beans (bush): seed April 24 – May 15; fall July 23 – August 13
• Cabbage: set out March 27 – April 17; fall June 25 – July 16
• Broccoli: set out March 27 – April 17; fall June 25 – July 16

These are averages worked out from frost dates, not a state extension schedule. Adjust for your field and the season.

Published costs per acre

• Sample fresh-market tomato budget (Tomato Production) — 2006 (Penn State Extension, 2006): about $107 per acre.

Where to sell in Pennsylvania

• State buy-local program: the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture runs PA Preferred. Members can be listed for grocery, restaurant and school buyers looking for in-state product — ask about joining and any marketing directories.
• Established market: Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market. Visit on a market morning and talk to the produce dealers before you plant, not after harvest.
• Farmers markets, CSAs and on-farm stands: the USDA Local Food Directories list them by state, so you can see who already sells near you and which markets still need your crop.
• Schools and institutions: ask your state's farm-to-school contact (usually through the agriculture or education department) what they buy and when.
• Buyers on BAU: buyers post what they need on the marketplace, and you can list your crop window there for free.

Call before you count on any buyer: programs and market hours change, and a price talked through in winter is worth more than one found at harvest.

Farm taxes in Pennsylvania

• Income tax: Flat state income tax at a low rate, plus local earned-income taxes in most townships.
• Sales tax on inputs: Items used directly in farming are exempt; give the vendor Form REV-1220 (Exemption Certificate).
• Farmland property tax: Clean and Green: land in agricultural use is assessed at use value; apply through the county assessment office.

Rates and forms change. Confirm with the state revenue department or a farm tax preparer before you file — this is a plain-language guide, not tax advice. Our farm tax estimator covers the federal deductions every state shares.

Grants and cost-share in Pennsylvania

• PA Farm Bill programs, including Agriculture Business Development and Urban Agriculture grants
• Specialty Crop Block Grant (Department of Agriculture)
• Farmland Preservation easement purchase through county boards
• USDA NRCS EQIP cost-share and FSA microloans through your county USDA service center
• Northeast SARE farmer and rancher grants for on-farm trials

See the grant tracker for deadlines we follow.

Who to call

• Penn State Extension — county offices for soil tests, varieties and pest help
• Your county USDA service center (FSA and NRCS) for loans, cost-share and farm numbers