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

Planting zone for 44842 — Loudonville, OH

ZIP code 44842 (Loudonville, Ashland County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 44842 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 30
First frostOct 15
2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Loudonville, 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 Loudonville, 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 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season168 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Ashland 2 Sw, OH — 14 miles away, elevation 1,266 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 44842

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 20 – Sep 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 44842 came on Mar 16 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

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

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 109

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 202

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican vetch1.3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 164

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 8

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

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 Loudonville, OH.

Soil in Loudonville, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 44842 is Ravenna — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.9%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Ravenna silt 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 44842; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Loudonville, OH

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,911base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation41.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall25 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 17 °F 34°17° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 19 °F 37°19° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 27 °F 47°27° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 51 °F 76°51° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 31 °F 50°31° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 24 °F 39°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.27 in precipitation, 9.4 in snowfall 3.3❄9 JanFebruary: 2.55 in precipitation, 5.7 in snowfall 2.5❄6 FebMarch: 3.12 in precipitation, 3.2 in snowfall 3.1❄3 MarApril: 3.57 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.6 AprMay: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 2.73 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 2.83 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 2.8❄1 NovDecember: 3.02 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 3.0❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ashland 2 Sw, OH (14 mi away); precipitation: Greer, OH (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

446386a
Lakeville, OH · 5 mi
448646a
Perrysville, OH · 5 mi
446616a
Nashville, OH · 7 mi
446286a
Glenmont, OH · 8 mi
446116a
Big Prairie, OH · 8 mi
448386a
Hayesville, OH · 9 mi
448436a
Lucas, OH · 10 mi
448406a
Jeromesville, OH · 10 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 44842

What planting zone is ZIP code 44842?

ZIP code 44842 (Loudonville, 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 Loudonville, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 44842 is April 30; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ashland 2 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Loudonville, OH?

The median first fall frost near 44842 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 168 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 44842?

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 44842 get?

About 41.6 inches of precipitation a year and 25 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greer station).

How hot do summers get in Loudonville, OH?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 44842 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ravenna at the center of ZIP 44842: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Loudonville, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 44842 came on Mar 16 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Loudonville, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 44842 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 44842 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 44842 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.