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

Planting zone for 43521 — Fayette, OH

ZIP code 43521 (Fayette, Fulton County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 43521 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 frostMay 4
First frostOct 7
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 Fayette, 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 Fayette, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 24
Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Morenci, MI — 6 miles away, elevation 771 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 43521

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 43521 came on Mar 25 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

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 Fayette, OH.

Soil in Fayette, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 43521 is Fulton — silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Fulton silty clay loam, 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 43521; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fayette, OH

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights148nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,727base 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)
Precipitation38.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall32 inper year; 46 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 15 °F 33°15° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 16 °F 36°16° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 24 °F 47°24° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 34 °F 60°34° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 46 °F 72°46° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 56 °F 82°56° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 58 °F 86°58° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 56 °F 83°56° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 20 °F 37°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.33 in precipitation, 9.8 in snowfall 2.3❄10 JanFebruary: 2.33 in precipitation, 8.1 in snowfall 2.3❄8 FebMarch: 2.77 in precipitation, 5.2 in snowfall 2.8❄5 MarApril: 3.58 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 3.6❄1 AprMay: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 3.04 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 3.0❄2 NovDecember: 2.48 in precipitation, 6.6 in snowfall 2.5❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Morenci, MI (6 mi away); precipitation: Morenci, MI (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 43521

What planting zone is ZIP code 43521?

ZIP code 43521 (Fayette, 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 Fayette, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 43521 is May 4; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morenci station.

When is the first frost in Fayette, OH?

The median first fall frost near 43521 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 43521?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 43521 get?

About 38.1 inches of precipitation a year and 32 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morenci station).

How hot do summers get in Fayette, OH?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 43521 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fulton at the center of ZIP 43521: silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fayette, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 43521 came on Mar 25 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fayette, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 43521 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).