Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Kent, OH

Kent, OH is in USDA zones 6a to 6b across its 3 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 29.

Kent on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones6a–6b−10 to 0 °F

ZIP codes3

Last frostApr 21

First frostOct 29

Growing season189 days

6a 2 ZIPs 6b 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Kent, OH…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Kent, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 14

Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Ravenna 2 S, OH, elevation 1,106 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Kent

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 29) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 44243 came on Mar 12 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

average
Apr 22026
Mar 12

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6a in Ohio

565 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Ohio, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Kent, OH.

Soil in Kent, OH

The center of ZIP 44243 is mapped as Udorthents: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 44243; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kent, OH

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,765base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation42.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ravenna 2 S, OH (3 mi away); precipitation: Kent 1.5 W, OH (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Kent

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about Kent

What planting zone is Kent, OH?

Kent, OH is in USDA hardiness zones 6a to 6b on the 2023 map (6a: −10 to −5 °F; 6b: −5 to 0 °F).

When is the last frost in Kent, OH?

The median last spring frost is April 21 and the median first fall frost is October 29 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ravenna 2 S station).

When can I plant a garden in Kent, OH?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 10 – Mar 31; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 28, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Kent, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Kent, OH get?

About 42.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).