Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 45739 (Hockingport, OH)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Parkersburg, WV (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 3050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)197 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 45739 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-April to early May.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 30: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 31 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 14 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 2 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 16 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 30 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 12 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 14 | Oct 30 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 1 | Nov 9 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 45739
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 30). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 24–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 17–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–25 (transplant) Aug 21–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–25 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) Jul 24–Aug 21 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) Jul 24–Aug 21 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 3–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 3–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 10–31 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 17–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 21 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 10–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 17–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 18–Oct 16 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 10–24 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 17–24 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 17–24 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 17–24 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 17–24 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 17–24 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Apr 21–28 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 3–17 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Parkersburg, WV (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00013867), elevation 620 ft, 11.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandyville 9 NE, WV | 17 mi | May 1 | Oct 14 |
| Parkersburg Wood Co AP, WV | 20 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 22 |
| Athens Ou, OH | 21 mi | Apr 25 | Oct 23 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 18 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 45739
When is the last frost in 45739?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 45739 is April 14. For a more cautious planting date, use May 2, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 45739?
The average first fall freeze is October 30. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 16.
What hardiness zone is 45739?
ZIP 45739 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 45739 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
26181 Washington 45723 Coolville 45772 45783 Tuppers Plains 45742 Little Hocking 26133 26101 Parkersburg 45743
Other ZIP codes in Athens County
45701 45711 45716 45719 45723 45732 45735 45740 45761 45766 45778 45780 45782 All Athens County frost dates · Ohio frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.