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

Planting zone for 45061 — Ross, OH

ZIP code 45061 (Ross, Butler County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 45061 is

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 19

First frostOct 22

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 Ross, 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 Ross, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 9

Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Fairfield, OH — 4 miles away, elevation 574 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 45061

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 45061 came on Mar 10 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

average
Mar 182026
Mar 10

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 Ross, OH.

Soil in Ross, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 45061 is Eldean — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eldean-Urban land complex, nearly level.

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 45061; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ross, OH

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights114nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,663base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation45 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fairfield, OH (4 mi away); precipitation: Fairfield, OH (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

452526b

Cincinnati, OH · 3 mi

450636b

Shandon, OH · 4 mi

452516b

Cincinnati, OH · 4 mi

Cincinnati, OH · 7 mi

452406b

Cincinnati, OH · 7 mi

450136b

Hamilton, OH · 7 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 45061

What planting zone is ZIP code 45061?

ZIP code 45061 (Ross, 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 Ross, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 45061 is April 19; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairfield station.

When is the first frost in Ross, OH?

The median first fall frost near 45061 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 45061?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 45061 get?

About 45 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairfield station).

How hot do summers get in Ross, OH?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 45061 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eldean at the center of ZIP 45061: loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ross, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 45061 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ross, OH?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 45061 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 45061 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 45061 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.