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

Planting zone for 45686 — Vinton, OH

ZIP code 45686 (Vinton, Gallia County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 45686 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 27
First frostOct 14
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 Vinton, 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 Vinton, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Oct 2
Growing season168 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Carpenter 2 S, OH — 12 miles away, elevation 824 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 45686

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25
BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 45686 came on Mar 9 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

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 Vinton, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 45686 is Monongahela — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Monongahela loam, 8 to 15 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 45686; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vinton, OH

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,306base 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
Precipitation43.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall15 inper year; 23 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 22 °F 40°22° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 30 °F 53°30° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 60 °F 85°60° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 52 °F 79°52° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 26 °F 44°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.15 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 3.1❄5 JanFebruary: 3.15 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 3.1❄4 FebMarch: 3.99 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 4.0❄2 MarApril: 3.75 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.8 AprMay: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 2.95 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 3.0 NovDecember: 3.52 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 3.5❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carpenter 2 S, OH (12 mi away); precipitation: Salem Center 2 E, OH (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

456856b
Thurman, OH · 7 mi
456146b
Bidwell, OH · 7 mi
457416b
Langsville, OH · 8 mi
456746b
Rio Grande, OH · 9 mi
456956b
Wilkesville, OH · 11 mi
456436b
Kerr, OH · 11 mi
456926b
Wellston, OH · 12 mi
456206b
Cheshire, OH · 12 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 45686

What planting zone is ZIP code 45686?

ZIP code 45686 (Vinton, 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 Vinton, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 45686 is April 27; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carpenter 2 S station.

When is the first frost in Vinton, OH?

The median first fall frost near 45686 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 168 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 45686?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 45686 get?

About 43.3 inches of precipitation a year and 15 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salem Center 2 E station).

How hot do summers get in Vinton, OH?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 45686 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Monongahela at the center of ZIP 45686: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Vinton, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 45686 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Vinton, OH?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 45686 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 45686 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 45686 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.