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

Planting zone for 43056 — Heath, OH

ZIP code 43056 (Heath, Licking County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 43056 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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 29

First frostOct 16

2012 zone6a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Heath, 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 Heath, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Newark Wtr Wks, OH — 7 miles away, elevation 837 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 43056

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 43056 came on Mar 12 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
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 Heath, OH.

Soil in Heath, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 43056 is Melvin — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.8%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drained and either protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Melvin silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 43056; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Heath, OH

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights129nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,991base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 01 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 19 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall15 inper year; 24 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Newark Wtr Wks, OH (7 mi away); precipitation: Newark Wtr Wks, OH (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

430306a

Jacksontown, OH · 5 mi

430586a

Newark, OH · 5 mi

437216a

Brownsville, OH · 6 mi

Thornville, OH · 8 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 43056

What planting zone is ZIP code 43056?

ZIP code 43056 (Heath, 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 Heath, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 43056 is April 29; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newark Wtr Wks station.

When is the first frost in Heath, OH?

The median first fall frost near 43056 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 43056?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 43056 get?

About 43.4 inches of precipitation a year and 15 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newark Wtr Wks station).

How hot do summers get in Heath, OH?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 43056 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Melvin at the center of ZIP 43056: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Heath, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 43056 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Heath, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 43056 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).