Blog

When to Plant Zucchini in Blair County, PA

Blair County, Pennsylvania Zone 6b May

This month in Blair County, Pennsylvania

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Blair County, Pennsylvania this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 25
Avg. first frost October 19
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant zucchini

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

  2. Scatter zucchini into prepared beds

    These tolerate cool soil, so you're not gambling by sowing now.

  3. Sow zucchini in trays indoors

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: zucchini

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Zucchini is an incredibly prolific summer squash that can produce an abundance of fruit from just a few plants. It is versatile in the kitchen from grilling to baking.

Blair County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 41 feet, Blair County receives approximately 43.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Zucchini during the growing season.

Blair County, PA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19
Share this guide:

Blair County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Blair County

How your county's soil matches Zucchini's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.8) overlaps with Zucchini's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Blair County is excellent for Zucchini — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Zucchini.

How to Plant Zucchini

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Zucchini

4
successive plantings in your 177-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 20 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.2″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 261 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Zucchini

Zucchini needs approximately 1.2 inches of water per week (5.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Zucchini Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 5.2" 4" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
May 5.2" 4" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 5.2" 4" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 5.2" 3.9" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 5.2" 4.1" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 5.2" 3.6" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 5.2" 3.2" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Blair County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Zucchini Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Zucchini needs ~919 GDD — county provides 3,097 GDD Excellent fit

Zucchini Planting Timeline — Blair County, PA

Zucchini Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 – May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 – May 23
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 22

Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
Share this guide:

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.2"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

45–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

177 days in Blair County

Growing Tips for Zucchini in Blair County

Direct sow Zucchini outdoors after April 25 in Blair County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 177.0-day season in Blair County allows multiple plantings of Zucchini. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Zucchini in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct sow after last frost. Harvest when fruits are 6-8 inches long for best flavor and texture. Check plants daily in summer as fruits can double in size overnight.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Zucchini in Blair County, PA?

Blair County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Zucchini planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Blair County, PA?

Blair County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 19.

🌱

Your Blair County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Blair County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Blair County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.