Planting zone for 45740 — Jacksonville, OH
ZIP code 45740 (Jacksonville, 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 45740 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
Was 5b on the 2012 map — a full 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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, OH
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around November 1.
From the NOAA station Athens Ou, OH — 11 miles away, 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 45740
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 45740 came on Mar 10 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).
Mar 242026
Mar 10
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 6b in Ohio
570 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Ohio, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.
Trees 71
Shrubs 109
Wildflowers & perennials 203
Grasses 165
Vines 10
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 Jacksonville, OH.
Soil in Jacksonville, OH
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 45740 is Brookside — silt loam, moderately well drained.
Map unit: Brookside silt loam, 15 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 45740; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Jacksonville, OH
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Athens Ou, OH (11 mi away); precipitation: Nelsonville, OH (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 45740
What planting zone is ZIP code 45740?
ZIP code 45740 (Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, OH?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 45740 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 Jacksonville, OH?
The median first fall frost near 45740 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 45740?
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 45740 get?
About 40.2 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nelsonville station).
How hot do summers get in Jacksonville, 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 45740 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Brookside at the center of ZIP 45740: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).
Did spring come early in Jacksonville, OH in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 45740 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Jacksonville, OH?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 45740 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 45740 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 45740 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.