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

Planting zone for 45248 — Cincinnati, OH

ZIP code 45248 (Cincinnati, Hamilton County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 45248 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 16
First frostOct 28
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 Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season193 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Cheviot 3 W, OH — within 1 mile, elevation 853 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 45248

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 45248 came on Mar 8 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20).

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 Cincinnati, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 45248 is Alfic Udarents — flaggy clay, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureFlaggy clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Alfic Udarents-Eden complex, 12 to 25 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 45248; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cincinnati, OH

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,453base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation48.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 22 °F 39°22° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 30 °F 54°30° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 28 °F 43°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 5.06 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 5.39 in precipitation 5.4 JunJuly: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cheviot 3 W, OH (within 1 mile); precipitation: Cheviot 3.4 W, OH (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

450016b
Addyston, OH · 3 mi
452336b
Cincinnati, OH · 3 mi
452116b
Cincinnati, OH · 3 mi
452476b
Cincinnati, OH · 4 mi
450416b
Miamitown, OH · 4 mi
450516b
Mount Saint Joseph, OH · 4 mi
452386b
Cincinnati, OH · 5 mi
452396b
Cincinnati, OH · 5 mi

All 70 ZIP codes in Cincinnati → · Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 45248

What planting zone is ZIP code 45248?

ZIP code 45248 (Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 45248 is April 16; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cheviot 3 W station.

When is the first frost in Cincinnati, OH?

The median first fall frost near 45248 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 45248?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 45248 get?

About 48.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cheviot 3.4 W station).

How hot do summers get in Cincinnati, OH?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 45248 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alfic Udarents at the center of ZIP 45248: flaggy clay, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Cincinnati, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 45248 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cincinnati, OH?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 45248 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 45248 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 45248 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.