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

Planting zone for 45696 — Willow Wood, OH

ZIP code 45696 (Willow Wood, Lawrence County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 45696 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 30
First frostOct 15
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Willow Wood, 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 Willow Wood, 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 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Waterloo, OH — 7 miles away, elevation 627 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 45696

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 45696 came on Mar 8 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

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 7a in Ohio

579 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Ohio, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 72

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 208

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 167

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 11

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °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 Willow Wood, OH.

Soil in Willow Wood, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 45696 is Gilpin — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gilpin-Upshur-Steinsburg 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 45696; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Willow Wood, OH

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights131nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,315base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall14 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 20 °F 41°20° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 22 °F 45°22° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 29 °F 54°29° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 38 °F 67°38° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 58 °F 83°58° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 62 °F 86°62° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 60 °F 85°60° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 52 °F 79°52° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.28 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 3.3❄5 JanFebruary: 3.15 in precipitation, 3.9 in snowfall 3.1❄4 FebMarch: 4.19 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 4.2❄2 MarApril: 3.69 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.7 AprMay: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 5.57 in precipitation 5.6 JulAugust: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 2.94 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 2.9 NovDecember: 3.72 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 3.7❄2 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

456787a
Scottown, OH · 4 mi
456457a
Kitts Hill, OH · 5 mi
456697a
Proctorville, OH · 9 mi
456197a
Chesapeake, OH · 10 mi
456237a
Crown City, OH · 10 mi
456887a
Waterloo, OH · 10 mi
255377a
Lesage, WV · 10 mi
456807a
South Point, OH · 11 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 45696

What planting zone is ZIP code 45696?

ZIP code 45696 (Willow Wood, OH) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Willow Wood, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 45696 is April 30; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waterloo station.

When is the first frost in Willow Wood, OH?

The median first fall frost near 45696 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 45696?

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 45696 get?

About 45.7 inches of precipitation a year and 14 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waterloo station).

How hot do summers get in Willow Wood, OH?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 45696 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gilpin at the center of ZIP 45696: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Willow Wood, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 45696 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Willow Wood, OH?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 45696 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 45696 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 45696 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.