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

Planting zone for 44286 — Richfield, OH

ZIP code 44286 (Richfield, Summit County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 44286 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 30
First frostOct 21
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 Richfield, 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 Richfield, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Stow 4 Se, OH — 12 miles away, elevation 1,060 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 44286

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 44286 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).

Soil in Richfield, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 44286 is Rittman — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rittman silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded.

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 44286; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Richfield, OH

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,758base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation42.1 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 18 °F 33°18° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 47 °F 70°47° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 32 °F 49°32° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 24 °F 39°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 2.53 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 MarApril: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Stow 4 Se, OH (12 mi away); precipitation: Fairlawn 0.2 Sw, OH (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

442106b
Bath, OH · 3 mi
443336b
Akron, OH · 5 mi
441416b
Brecksville, OH · 5 mi
442336b
Hinckley, OH · 5 mi
442646b
Peninsula, OH · 5 mi
441476a
Broadview Heights, OH · 6 mi
442236b
Cuyahoga Falls, OH · 7 mi
443346b
Fairlawn, OH · 7 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 44286

What planting zone is ZIP code 44286?

ZIP code 44286 (Richfield, 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 Richfield, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 44286 is April 30; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stow 4 Se station.

When is the first frost in Richfield, OH?

The median first fall frost near 44286 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 44286?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 44286 get?

About 42.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairlawn 0.2 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Richfield, OH?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 44286 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rittman at the center of ZIP 44286: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Richfield, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 44286 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 Richfield, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 44286 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 44286 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 44286 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.