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

Planting zone for 43351 — Upper Sandusky, OH

ZIP code 43351 (Upper Sandusky, Wyandot 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 17.

Where ZIP 43351 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 17
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 Upper Sandusky, 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 Upper Sandusky, 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 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 2
Growing season171 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Upper Sandusky, OH — 2 miles away, elevation 853 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 43351

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 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 29) 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 43351 came on Mar 12 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

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.

Trees 70

Shrubs 109

Wildflowers & perennials 202

Grasses 164

Vines 8

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 Upper Sandusky, OH.

Soil in Upper Sandusky, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 43351 is Milford — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Milford silty clay loam, 0 to 2 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 43351; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Upper Sandusky, OH

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights130nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,045base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation40.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 19 °F 37°19° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 27 °F 47°27° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 37 °F 61°37° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.21 in precipitation 2.2 JanFebruary: 2.01 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 2.59 in precipitation 2.6 MarApril: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 2.84 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 2.61 in precipitation 2.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Upper Sandusky, OH (2 mi away); precipitation: Upper Sandusky, OH (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 43351

What planting zone is ZIP code 43351?

ZIP code 43351 (Upper Sandusky, 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 Upper Sandusky, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 43351 is April 29; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Upper Sandusky station.

When is the first frost in Upper Sandusky, OH?

The median first fall frost near 43351 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 171 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 43351?

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 43351 get?

About 40.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Upper Sandusky station).

How hot do summers get in Upper Sandusky, OH?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 43351 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Milford at the center of ZIP 43351: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Upper Sandusky, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 43351 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Upper Sandusky, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 43351 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).