Planting calendar for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dates from 30 years of records at the Phila Franklin Inst weather station, 0.6 miles from Philadelphia, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Philadelphia at a glance

Weather station: Phila Franklin Inst · 0.6 mi
USDA zone: 7b
Last spring frost: typically Mar 30; 1 year in 10 after Apr 12
First fall frost: typically Nov 17; 1 year in 10 before Nov 4
Frost-free season: about 232 days
Hottest month: July: highs 89°F, nights 71°F
Coldest month: January: highs 42°F, nights 28°F
Rain: 51 in. a year, most in June, August and September

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Philadelphia typically comes around Mar 30, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 12. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 17. That leaves about 232 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Philadelphia gets about 51 inches of rain a year, most of it in June, August and September.

164 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 10 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Philadelphia, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Lavender, Parsley, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Stock

February11

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Fava bean, Kale, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Fruit: Blueberry

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Arugula, Mustard greens

Start seeds indoors

Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

March69

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Shiso (perilla), Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Milkweed (native)

April51

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry

Flowers: Calendula, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Dill, Lemon balm, Lemon verbena, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sunflower

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May30

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cardoon, Edamame, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Pepper (hot / chili), Pigeon pea, Purslane, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Culantro, Lemon verbena, Papalo, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Celosia

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Ginger, Leek, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Cuban oregano, Epazote, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June21

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Lemongrass, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Brussels sprouts, Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Winter squash, Yardlong bean, Basil, Borage, Caraway, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon, Celosia, Statice, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek, Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold, Statice

July33

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Pumpkin, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Borage

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Ginger, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Malabar spinach, Moringa, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Basil, Caraway, Chamomile, Culantro, Dill, Epazote, Lemongrass, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Calendula, Nasturtium, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

August43

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Eggplant, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing)

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Chervil, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi), Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Stock, Zinnia

September37

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Bok choy / pak choi, Lettuce (romaine & head)

October7

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Garden cress, Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach

Flowers: Pansy / viola

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Philadelphia

164 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 3–17, Aug 30–Sep 13	May 18–Aug 29	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 18–May 2, Jul 29–Aug 18	May 3–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 16–30	—	Jan 12–26	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 7–Apr 11, Sep 6–Oct 10	Feb 16–Mar 6, Apr 12–23, Jul 28–Sep 5	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 27	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Apr 18–May 2, Aug 12–Sep 2	May 3–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Apr 18–May 2, Jul 8–29	May 3–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 3–17, Jul 14–Aug 3	May 18–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Apr 18–May 2, Aug 2–23	May 3–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 2–23, Aug 28–Sep 18	Mar 24–Apr 29, Jul 4–Aug 27	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Apr 18–May 2, Jul 31–Aug 21	May 3–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 16–Apr 2	Apr 3–7, Aug 16–Sep 11	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 18–Jun 1	Jun 2–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 2–16, Aug 21–Sep 10	Mar 17–Apr 12, Aug 5–20	Jan 19–Feb 2, Jul 10–30	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 4–30, Sep 9–28	Mar 2–3, Mar 31–Apr 9, Aug 5–Sep 8	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 2–16, Aug 5–23	Jun 11–20	Jan 19–Feb 2, Jun 24–Jul 12	Set out plants
Cabbage	Feb 23–Mar 9, Aug 8–29	Mar 10–Apr 13, Jun 28–Aug 7	Jan 12–26, Jun 27–Jul 18	Set out plants
Cardoon	May 16–30	May 31–Jul 5	Mar 14–28	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 9–30, Aug 18–Sep 8	Mar 31–Apr 22, Jun 26–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 9–23, Aug 7–27	Mar 24–Apr 16, Aug 5–6	Jan 26–Feb 9, Jun 26–Jul 16	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Mar 18–Apr 1, Jul 4–25	May 11–Jul 3	Apr 18–May 9, Dec 31–Jan 14	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 2–9, Jun 30–Jul 21	May 25–Jun 29	Jan 15–22, Apr 14–May 5	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Mar 18–Apr 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 9–30, Aug 26–Sep 15	Mar 31–Apr 30, Jun 22–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 2–16, Sep 1–22	Mar 17–Aug 31	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Apr 18–May 2, Aug 5–26	May 3–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Apr 18–May 2, Aug 3–23	May 3–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 9–23, Aug 28–Sep 18	Mar 24–Apr 11, Aug 16–27	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 3–17, Jul 16–Aug 5	May 18–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 3–17, Jul 19–Aug 8	May 18–Jul 18	Mar 1–15, May 17–Jun 6	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 27–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Mar 9–19	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Feb 16–Mar 2	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Mar 16–30	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Mar 25–Apr 22, Sep 15–Oct 14	Mar 16–24, Apr 23–May 9, Aug 13–Sep 14	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 27–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 8–Jul 6	May 18–Jun 7, Jul 7–13	Apr 20–May 18	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 2–16	Mar 17–Apr 27	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Feb 16–Mar 9, Sep 14–Oct 4	Mar 10–Apr 29, Jul 3–Sep 13	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 2–16, Sep 5–25	Mar 17–May 3, Jul 20–Sep 4	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Aug 19–Oct 3	Mar 30–Apr 21, Jul 7–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 2–16, Jul 23–Aug 13	Mar 17–24, May 20–Jul 22	May 21–Jun 11, Dec 29–Jan 12	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 5–Apr 5, Sep 4–30	Mar 2–4, Apr 6–16, Jul 21–Sep 3	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 9–28	Mar 29–31, Aug 5–Sep 13	Feb 2–21	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 18–Jun 1	Jun 2–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Mar 2–15, Sep 20–Oct 12	Mar 16–Apr 3, Sep 3–19	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	May 18–Jun 1	Jun 2–Jul 13	Mar 30–Apr 13	Set out plants
Moringa	May 18–Jun 1	Jun 2–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 4–Apr 4, Sep 9–Oct 8	Feb 16–Mar 3, Apr 5–14, Aug 5–Sep 8	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Aug 11–Sep 8	Mar 16–Apr 1, Jul 6–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 18–May 2, Aug 5–25	May 3–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	May 18–Jun 1	Jun 2–Jul 13	—	Set out plants
Okra	May 18–Jun 1, Aug 3–15	Jun 2–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Feb 16–Mar 26, Jun 10–Jul 4, Jul 15–Aug 4	Mar 27–Jun 9, Jul 5–14	Mar 25–Apr 18, Apr 29–May 19, Dec 1–Jan 8	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 9–22	—	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Feb 16–Mar 2, Aug 26–Sep 15	Mar 3–Apr 17, Aug 5–25	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Feb 16–Mar 2, Aug 26–Sep 15	Mar 3–Apr 15, Aug 5–25	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	May 18–Jun 1	Jun 2–12	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Apr 24–May 8, Jul 11–Aug 1	May 9–Jul 10	Feb 20–Mar 6, May 9–30	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Apr 18–May 2, Jul 21–Aug 11	May 3–Jul 20	Feb 14–28, May 19–Jun 9	Set out plants
Pigeon pea	May 18–30	—	—	Sow seeds
Popcorn	Apr 18–25	Apr 26–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Mar 15–28, Jun 24–Jul 31	Mar 2–14, Mar 29–Apr 16, Jun 4–23	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Apr 18–May 2, Jun 16–Jul 7	May 3–Jun 15	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 3–17, Aug 11–Sep 1	May 18–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 2–9	Mar 10–26	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 14–Apr 17, Sep 14–Oct 22	Feb 23–Mar 13, Apr 18–May 6, Aug 10–Sep 13	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 2–16	Mar 17–31	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Mar 2–8	—	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Apr 29–May 20, Jun 14–Jul 5	May 21–Jun 13	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 18–Jun 1, Jun 14–Jul 4	Jun 2–13	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Feb 16–Mar 2, Jul 28–Aug 18	Mar 3–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 18–Jun 1, Jul 16–Aug 5	Jun 2–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Feb 16–Mar 18, Sep 20–Oct 17	Mar 19–Apr 11, Aug 16–Sep 19	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Apr 18–May 2, Aug 8–28	May 3–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Mar 28–Apr 18	Mar 9–27, Apr 19–20	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 18–25, Jul 21–Aug 10	Apr 26–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 5–30	May 18–Jun 4, Jul 1–7	Apr 17–May 12	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 9–30, Sep 2–23	Mar 31–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Apr 18–May 2	May 3–Aug 8	Mar 7–21	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Apr 18–May 2, Aug 5–25	May 3–Aug 4	Feb 28–Mar 14, Jun 17–Jul 7	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 6–13, Aug 10–30	Apr 14–Aug 9	Feb 16–23, Jun 22–Jul 12	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 3–17, Jul 23–Aug 13	May 18–Jul 22	Mar 15–29, Jun 4–25	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Apr 18–May 2, Jul 23–Aug 13	May 3–Jul 22	Feb 28–Mar 14, Jun 4–25	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Apr 18–May 2, Jul 21–Aug 10	May 3–Jul 20	Feb 28–Mar 14, Jun 2–22	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 2–16, Sep 7–28	Mar 17–May 3, Jul 20–Sep 6	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 9–23	Mar 24–May 4	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 18–Jun 1	Jun 2–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 3–17, Jun 16–Jul 7	May 18–Jun 15	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Apr 18–May 2, Jun 26–Jul 17	May 3–Jun 25	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 18–Jun 1, Jul 21–Aug 4	Jun 2–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 13–Mar 13	Set out plants
Basil	May 3–10, Aug 3–23	May 11–Aug 2	Mar 29–Apr 5, Jun 29–Jul 19	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants
Borage	Mar 23–Apr 22, Jul 25–Sep 9	Apr 23–May 26, Jun 11–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 9–23, Aug 8–29	Mar 24–Apr 13, Jun 14–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 16–Apr 6	Apr 7–27	Jan 26–Feb 16	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 2–16, Aug 23–Sep 13	Mar 17–Apr 24, Jun 27–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 9–26, Sep 10–28	Mar 27–Apr 7, Aug 16–Sep 9	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants
Cilantro	Mar 16–29, Sep 2–20	Mar 30–Apr 3, Aug 5–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	May 31–Jun 28	May 3–30	—	Set out plants
Culantro	May 18–Jun 1	Jun 2–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 16–23, Aug 24–Sep 14	Mar 24–May 6, Jul 12–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 18–May 2, Aug 17–Sep 7	May 3–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Mar 30–Apr 17, Aug 30–Sep 26	Apr 18–26, Jul 23–Aug 29	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Mar 23–Apr 19	Apr 20–May 18	Feb 2–Mar 1	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants
Lavender	Apr 6–26	Apr 27–May 25	Jan 19–Feb 8	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Mar 16–Apr 6	Apr 7–27	Feb 9–Mar 2	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 1–25	Apr 6–30	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 7–Jul 5	May 18–Jun 6, Jul 6–13	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 16–29	Mar 30–Apr 12	Jan 26–Feb 8	Set out plants
Marjoram	Apr 16–May 6	Apr 6–15, May 7–25	Feb 26–Mar 18	Set out plants
Mint	Mar 16–Apr 6	Apr 7–27	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Mar 30–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 8	Set out plants
Papalo	May 3–17	May 18–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 9–23, Aug 8–29	Mar 24–Aug 7	Jan 5–19, Jun 6–27	Set out plants
Rosemary	Apr 6–24	Apr 25–May 25	Jan 19–Feb 6	Set out plants
Sage	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 18	Feb 2–Mar 2	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 18–25	Apr 26–Aug 20	Mar 14–21	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 9–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 4	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	May 28–Jun 21	May 3–27	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 2–16	Apr 17–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Mar 30–Apr 23	Apr 24–May 25	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Mar 30–Apr 22	Apr 23–May 25	Feb 2–25	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 16–Jun 13	Apr 18–May 15	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Feb 23–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 27	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Feb 16–Mar 9	Mar 10–May 4	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 3–17, Jul 9–29	May 18–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 18–May 2	May 3–Aug 13	Mar 14–28	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 9–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 18	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 13	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 18–May 2	May 3–Aug 18	Feb 28–Mar 14	Set out plants
Muscadine grape	Mar 9–30	Mar 31–Apr 20	—	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 2–16	Mar 17–Apr 8	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 27	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 3–17, Jul 6–27	May 18–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 19–Aug 19	Apr 18–Jun 18, Aug 20–Sep 7	Apr 10–Jun 10	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 2–24, Aug 27–Sep 10	Mar 25–Apr 9, Aug 5–26	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 5–Aug 10	Mar 30–Jun 4	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 16–Apr 10, Aug 18–Sep 25	Apr 11–May 2, Jul 7–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 2–24, Aug 27–Sep 10	Mar 25–Apr 9, Aug 5–26	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 18–25, Jul 11–28	May 26–Jul 10	Mar 30–Apr 6, May 23–Jun 9	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 26–Jul 21	Apr 18–May 25, Jul 22–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 2–22	Mar 23–Apr 12	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	May 31–Jul 23	May 3–30, Jul 24–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	May 31–Jul 23	May 3–30, Jul 24–Aug 18	Apr 12–Jun 4	Set out plants
Larkspur	Feb 16–Mar 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 15–Aug 16	Apr 18–Jun 14, Aug 17–Sep 2	Apr 27–Jun 28	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Apr 5–May 3	Mar 30–Apr 4, May 4–25	Mar 1–29	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Aug 3–Sep 7	Apr 2–May 3, Jul 8–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 16–Mar 9, Sep 20–Oct 10	Mar 10–Apr 16, Aug 25–Sep 19	Jul 5–25, Dec 1–22	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 16–Aug 7	May 18–Jun 15, Aug 8–30	Apr 14–Jun 5	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Jan 12–Feb 9	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 2–15	—	Dec 29–Jan 11	Set out plants
Statice	Mar 30–Apr 13, Aug 9–30	Apr 14–May 22, Jun 4–Aug 8	Jan 26–Feb 9, Jun 7–28	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 16–30, Sep 7–28	Mar 31–Apr 16, Aug 16–Sep 6	Jan 12–26, Jul 6–27	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 2–16, Aug 17–Sep 6	Apr 17–May 25, Jun 9–Aug 16	Feb 12–26, Jun 29–Jul 19	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 3–Jul 26	Apr 18–Jun 2, Jul 27–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 9–Apr 9, Aug 22–Sep 27	Apr 10–May 3, Jul 8–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Feb 16–Mar 16	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 1–Jul 25	May 3–31, Jul 26–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Philadelphia

These need a climate Philadelphia doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 232 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 232 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 232 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Wilmington, DE 25 mi · last frost around Apr 7
Newark, NJ 75 mi · last frost around Apr 4
New York City, NY 81 mi · last frost around Mar 30
Baltimore, MD 90 mi · last frost around Mar 24
Washington, DC 124 mi · last frost around Mar 24
All Pennsylvania cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Phila Franklin Inst station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).