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

Planting zone for 45821 — Cecil, OH

ZIP code 45821 (Cecil, Paulding County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 45821 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostApr 25
First frostOct 19
2012 zone6a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cecil, 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 Cecil, 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 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Paulding, OH — 7 miles away, elevation 725 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 45821

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 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 45821 came on Mar 22 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5).

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 6a in Ohio

565 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Ohio, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 70

Shrubs 109

Wildflowers & perennials 202

Grasses 164

Vines 8

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 Cecil, OH.

Soil in Cecil, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 45821 is Paulding — clay, very poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter5.4%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Paulding clay, 0 to 1 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 45821; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cecil, OH

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,144base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall24 inper year; 40 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 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 27 °F 47°27° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 37 °F 61°37° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 32 °F 50°32° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.43 in precipitation, 7.3 in snowfall 2.4❄7 JanFebruary: 2.03 in precipitation, 7.5 in snowfall 2.0❄8 FebMarch: 2.56 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 2.6❄4 MarApril: 3.47 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.5 AprMay: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 SepOctober: 2.80 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 2.78 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 2.8❄1 NovDecember: 2.30 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 2.3❄4 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 45821

What planting zone is ZIP code 45821?

ZIP code 45821 (Cecil, OH) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Cecil, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 45821 is April 25; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paulding station.

When is the first frost in Cecil, OH?

The median first fall frost near 45821 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 45821?

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 45821 get?

About 37 inches of precipitation a year and 24 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paulding station).

How hot do summers get in Cecil, OH?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 45821 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Paulding at the center of ZIP 45821: clay, very poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Cecil, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 45821 came on Mar 22 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cecil, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 45821 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).