Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 43048 — Mount Liberty, OH

ZIP code 43048 (Mount Liberty, Knox County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 43048 is

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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 27

First frostOct 17

2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

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Loading the forecast for Mount Liberty, 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 Mount Liberty, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Centerburg 2 Se, OH — 4 miles away, elevation 1,204 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 43048

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 43048 came on Mar 15 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

average
Apr 12026
Mar 15

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 Mount Liberty, OH.

Soil in Mount Liberty, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 43048 is Ockley — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ockley silt loam, Southern Ohio Till Plain, 2 to 6 percent slopes.

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 43048; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mount Liberty, OH

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights128nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,967base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation44.2 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: Centerburg 2 Se, OH (4 mi away); precipitation: Centerburg 2 Se, OH (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

430116a

Centerburg, OH · 4 mi

430506a

Mount Vernon, OH · 7 mi

Chesterville, OH · 9 mi

433346a

Marengo, OH · 9 mi

430196a

Fredericktown, OH · 11 mi

430746a

Sunbury, OH · 13 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 43048

What planting zone is ZIP code 43048?

ZIP code 43048 (Mount Liberty, OH) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Mount Liberty, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 43048 is April 27; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Centerburg 2 Se station.

When is the first frost in Mount Liberty, OH?

The median first fall frost near 43048 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 43048?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 43048 get?

About 44.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Centerburg 2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Mount Liberty, OH?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 43048 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ockley at the center of ZIP 43048: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Mount Liberty, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 43048 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mount Liberty, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 43048 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 43048 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 43048 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.