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

Planting zone for 45653 — Minford, OH

ZIP code 45653 (Minford, Scioto County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 45653 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 21
First frostOct 24
2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Minford, 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 Minford, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season185 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Lucasville, OH — 9 miles away, elevation 568 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 45653

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 45653 came on Mar 8 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

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 Minford, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 45653 is Shelocta — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.75%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Shelocta-Wharton-Latham association, steep.

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 45653; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Minford, OH

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,585base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation43.1 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 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 39 °F 67°39° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 51 °F 76°51° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 59 °F 84°59° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 62 °F 87°62° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 JanFebruary: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 2.75 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lucasville, OH (9 mi away); precipitation: Portsmouth-Sciotoville, OH (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

456836b
Stockdale, OH · 5 mi
456777a
Scioto Furnace, OH · 7 mi
456996b
Lucasville, OH · 8 mi
456627a
Portsmouth, OH · 8 mi
456827a
South Webster, OH · 9 mi
456136b
Beaver, OH · 10 mi
456486b
Lucasville, OH · 10 mi
456947a
Wheelersburg, OH · 10 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 45653

What planting zone is ZIP code 45653?

ZIP code 45653 (Minford, 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 Minford, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 45653 is April 21; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lucasville station.

When is the first frost in Minford, OH?

The median first fall frost near 45653 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 185 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 45653?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 45653 get?

About 43.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portsmouth-Sciotoville station).

How hot do summers get in Minford, OH?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 45653 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shelocta at the center of ZIP 45653: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Minford, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 45653 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Minford, OH?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 45653 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.