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

Planting zone for Toledo, OH

Toledo, OH is in USDA zone 6b across its 31 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 27.

Toledo on the zone map

Outlined: its 15 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
ZIP codes31
Last frostApr 20
First frostOct 27
Growing season188 days

6b 31 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Toledo, 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 Toledo, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Toledo Metcalf Field, OH, elevation 623 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 Toledo

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 43608 came on Mar 23 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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 6b in Ohio

570 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Ohio, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 71

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 109

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 203

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican vetch1.3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 165

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 10

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Toledo, OH.

Soil in Toledo, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 43608 is Lenawee — silty clay loam, very poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter7.5%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lenawee-Urban land complex.

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 43608; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Toledo, OH

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights118nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,283base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 20 °F 34°20° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 22 °F 36°22° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 29 °F 47°29° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 40 °F 60°40° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 51 °F 71°51° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 63 °F 82°63° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 45 °F 64°45° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 34 °F 50°34° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 26 °F 38°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.46 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 2.50 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 2.58 in precipitation 2.6 MarApril: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 2.74 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.38 in precipitation 2.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Toledo Metcalf Field, OH (9 mi away); precipitation: Toledo 2.4 Ene, OH (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Toledo

436016b
−5 to 0 °F
436036b
−5 to 0 °F
436046b
−5 to 0 °F
436056b
−5 to 0 °F
436066b
−5 to 0 °F
436076b
−5 to 0 °F
436086b
−5 to 0 °F
436096b
−5 to 0 °F
436106b
−5 to 0 °F
436116b
−5 to 0 °F
436126b
−5 to 0 °F
436136b
−5 to 0 °F
436146b
−5 to 0 °F
436156b
−5 to 0 °F
436176b
−5 to 0 °F
436206b
−5 to 0 °F
436236b
−5 to 0 °F
436356b
−5 to 0 °F
436526b
−5 to 0 °F
436546b
−5 to 0 °F
436566b
−5 to 0 °F
436576b
−5 to 0 °F
436596b
−5 to 0 °F
436606b
−5 to 0 °F
436616b
−5 to 0 °F
436666b
−5 to 0 °F
436676b
−5 to 0 °F
436816b
−5 to 0 °F
436826b
−5 to 0 °F
436976b
−5 to 0 °F
436996b
−5 to 0 °F

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about Toledo

What planting zone is Toledo, OH?

Toledo, OH is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map (6b: −5 to 0 °F).

When is the last frost in Toledo, OH?

The median last spring frost is April 20 and the median first fall frost is October 27 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Toledo Metcalf Field station).

When can I plant a garden in Toledo, OH?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 9 – Mar 30; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 27, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Toledo, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Toledo, OH get?

About 37 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).