Ohio's planting zones according to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map include primarily zones 5b, 6a, 6b, and a small area of 7a. Most of Ohio falls within zones 6a and 6b, with northern Ohio generally in zone 6a and southern Ohio and areas near Lake Erie in zone 6b. Zone 5b covers only a small portion, mainly in some northern inland areas, and zone 7a is a very narrow zone found near Greater Cleveland and the southernmost tip of the state

• Zone 5b : Coldest areas in Ohio, with average minimum temperatures between -15°F and -10°F, found in small parts like Knox County

• Zone 6a : Covers much of northern and central Ohio, with minimum temperatures between -10°F and -5°F, including cities like Akron, Toledo, and inland Cleveland

• Zone 6b : Warmer zone in southern Ohio and along Lake Erie’s shoreline, with minimum temperatures between -5°F and 0°F, including Columbus, Cincinnati, and coastal Cleveland

• Zone 7a : A small, newly designated zone near Greater Cleveland and southern Ohio with milder winters

These zones help gardeners determine what plants will survive Ohio winters and the best planting times. For example, cool-season crops are typically planted earlier in zone 6a, while warmer zone 6b allows for slightly earlier planting of warm-season crops

. In summary, Ohio’s planting zones range mainly from 5b to 7a, with the bulk of the state in zones 6a and 6b, guiding appropriate plant selection and timing for successful gardening.