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

Planting zone for 45745 — Lower Salem, OH

ZIP code 45745 (Lower Salem, Washington County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 45745 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 30
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 Lower Salem, 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 Lower Salem, 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 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Caldwell 3se, OH — 11 miles away, elevation 879 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 45745

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 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 30) 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 45745 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 Lower Salem, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 45745 is Woodsfield — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Woodsfield silt 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 45745; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lower Salem, OH

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,016base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 22 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
Snowfall16 inper year; 15 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 22 °F 42°22° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 28 °F 53°28° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.49 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 3.5❄7 JanFebruary: 3.14 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 3.1❄4 FebMarch: 3.98 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 4.0❄3 MarApril: 3.98 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.0 AprMay: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 2.91 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 2.9 NovDecember: 3.61 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 3.6❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Caldwell 3se, OH (11 mi away); precipitation: Marietta Wwtp, OH (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

457896b
Wingett Run, OH · 5 mi
457466b
Macksburg, OH · 6 mi
457886b
Whipple, OH · 7 mi
457346b
Graysville, OH · 8 mi
437866b
Stafford, OH · 8 mi
457276b
Dexter City, OH · 8 mi
457446b
Lowell, OH · 10 mi
457676b
New Matamoras, OH · 11 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 45745

What planting zone is ZIP code 45745?

ZIP code 45745 (Lower Salem, 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 Lower Salem, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 45745 is April 30; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Caldwell 3se station.

When is the first frost in Lower Salem, OH?

The median first fall frost near 45745 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 45745?

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 45745 get?

About 45.3 inches of precipitation a year and 16 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marietta Wwtp station).

How hot do summers get in Lower Salem, OH?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 45745 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Woodsfield at the center of ZIP 45745: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Lower Salem, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 45745 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 Lower Salem, OH?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 45745 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 45745 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 45745 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.