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

Planting zone for 44809 — Bascom, OH

ZIP code 44809 (Bascom, Seneca County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 44809 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 23

First frostOct 23

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 Bascom, 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 Bascom, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 9

Growing season184 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Tiffin, OH — 7 miles away, elevation 742 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 44809

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 44809 came on Mar 12 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

average
Apr 32026
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 6b in Ohio

570 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Ohio, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Bascom, OH.

Soil in Bascom, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 44809 is Shoals — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3%moderate

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: Shoals silt loam, 0 to 2 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 44809; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bascom, OH

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights123nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,194base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 08 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)

Precipitation38.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall30 inper year; 45 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: Tiffin, OH (7 mi away); precipitation: Tiffin, OH (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

448536a

New Riegel, OH · 5 mi

Bettsville, OH · 8 mi

448026b

Alvada, OH · 9 mi

448446a

Mc Cutchenville, OH · 10 mi

434076a

Burgoon, OH · 10 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 44809

What planting zone is ZIP code 44809?

ZIP code 44809 (Bascom, 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 Bascom, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 44809 is April 23; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tiffin station.

When is the first frost in Bascom, OH?

The median first fall frost near 44809 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 184 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 44809?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 44809 get?

About 38.7 inches of precipitation a year and 30 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tiffin station).

How hot do summers get in Bascom, 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 44809 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shoals at the center of ZIP 44809: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Bascom, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 44809 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bascom, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 44809 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 44809 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 44809 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.