When to Plant Tomatoes in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 6 – Apr 20 in Philadelphia to May 22 – Jun 5 in Hermitage. In Philadelphia, it's Apr 6 – Apr 20. The average last spring frost differs by about 7 weeks across the state (Mar 30 in Philadelphia, May 15 in Hermitage), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Pennsylvania by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | 7a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Altoona | 6b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Baldwin | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Bethel Park | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Bethlehem | 7a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Carlisle | 7a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Chambersburg | 7a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Chester | 7b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Easton | 7a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Erie | 7a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Franklin Park | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Greensburg | 6b | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Hanover | 7a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Harrisburg | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Hazleton | 6b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Hermitage | 6a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Indiana | 6b | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Johnstown | 6b | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Lancaster | 7a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Lansdale | 7a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Lebanon | 7a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| McKeesport | 6b | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Monroeville | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Murrysville | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| New Castle | 6a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Norristown | 7a | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Philadelphia | 7b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Phoenixville | 7a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Pittsburgh | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Plum | 6b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Pottstown | 7a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Reading | 7a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Scranton | 6b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| State College | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| West Chester | 7a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| West Mifflin | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Whitehall | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Wilkes-Barre | 7a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Williamsport | 6b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| York | 7a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Pennsylvania, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.