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

Planting zone for 45701 — Athens, OH

ZIP code 45701 (Athens, Athens County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 45701 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 25
First frostOct 23
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 Athens, 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 Athens, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Athens Ou, OH — within 1 mile, elevation 686 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 45701

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23
BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 45701 came on Mar 10 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

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 Athens, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 45701 is Steinsburg — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Steinsburg sandy loam, 25 to 40 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 45701; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Athens, OH

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,198base 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
Precipitation45.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 63 °F 82°63° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 27 °F 43°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 5.21 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.26 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 NovDecember: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Athens Ou, OH (within 1 mile); precipitation: Athens 2.3 Sse, OH (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

457806b
The Plains, OH · 5 mi
457196b
Chauncey, OH · 7 mi
457616b
Millfield, OH · 8 mi
457766b
Shade, OH · 9 mi
457356b
Guysville, OH · 9 mi
457786b
Stewart, OH · 10 mi
457666b
New Marshfield, OH · 10 mi
457106b
Albany, OH · 11 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 45701

What planting zone is ZIP code 45701?

ZIP code 45701 (Athens, 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 Athens, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 45701 is April 25; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Athens Ou station.

When is the first frost in Athens, OH?

The median first fall frost near 45701 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 45701?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 45701 get?

About 45.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Athens 2.3 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Athens, OH?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 45701 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Steinsburg at the center of ZIP 45701: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Athens, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 45701 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Athens, OH?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 45701 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 45701 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 45701 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.