Blog

When to Plant Zucchini in Perry County, PA

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.

Perry County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 693 feet, Perry County receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Zucchini during the growing season.

Perry County, PA (Zone 6a) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Zucchini needs ~879 GDD — county provides 3,031 GDD Excellent fit

Zucchini Planting Timeline โ€” Perry County, PA

Zucchini Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 22
Direct Sow May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 22
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

45โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

181 days

Growing Tips for Perry County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Zucchini in Perry County, PA?

Perry County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Zucchini planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, PA?

Perry County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Perry County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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