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

Planting zone for 44146 — Bedford, OH

ZIP code 44146 (Bedford, Cuyahoga County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 44146 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 8
First frostNov 12
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bedford, 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 Bedford, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Cleveland Burke Airport, OH — 12 miles away, elevation 584 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 44146

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 44146 came on Mar 12 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

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).

Soil in Bedford, OH

The center of ZIP 44146 is mapped as Urban land: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 44146; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bedford, OH

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights92nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,326base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation47 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 35 °F, low 24 °F 35°24° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 25 °F 37°25° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 31 °F 45°31° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 41 °F 57°41° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 53 °F 68°53° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 63 °F 77°63° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 68 °F 81°68° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 67 °F 80°67° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 60 °F 74°60° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 49 °F 63°49° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 38 °F 51°38° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 30 °F 40°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 MarApril: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 5.38 in precipitation 5.4 JulAugust: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cleveland Burke Airport, OH (12 mi away); precipitation: Parma 1.8 Se, OH (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

441376b
Maple Heights, OH · 3 mi
441286b
Cleveland, OH · 4 mi
441396a
Solon, OH · 4 mi
441256b
Cleveland, OH · 5 mi
440676b
Northfield, OH · 5 mi
440566b
Macedonia, OH · 5 mi
441226b
Beachwood, OH · 6 mi
440876a
Twinsburg, OH · 6 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 44146

What planting zone is ZIP code 44146?

ZIP code 44146 (Bedford, OH) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Bedford, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 44146 is April 8; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cleveland Burke Airport station.

When is the first frost in Bedford, OH?

The median first fall frost near 44146 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 44146?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 44146 get?

About 47 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Parma 1.8 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Bedford, OH?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Bedford, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 44146 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bedford, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 44146 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 44146 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 44146 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.