When to plant in Marion, OH
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Marion, Ohio — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6a means Marion sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Marion is now 9 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
MARION 2 N · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Marion’s own odds, recorded at MARION 2 N.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 21 | May 5 | Apr 21 | Sep 24 | Oct 8 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F | May 11 | Apr 25 | Apr 11 | Oct 5 | Oct 20 | Nov 2 |
| 28°F | May 3 | Apr 14 | Mar 30 | Oct 18 | Nov 1 | Nov 14 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Marion, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 27 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Marion planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Marion, OH?
Marion's average last spring frost falls near April 25 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Marion, OH?
The first fall frost in Marion typically arrives around October 20 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Marion in?
Marion is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Marion?
There are roughly 178 frost-free days in Marion (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 25 to the first fall frost near October 20.
When should I plant tomatoes in Marion?
In Marion, start tomato seeds indoors around February 28–March 14, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 2 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Marion
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Marion’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Bucyrus · 26 km
- Galion · 33 km
- Delaware · 35 km
- Marysville · 46 km
- Powell · 48 km
- Mansfield · 53 km
- Dublin · 54 km
- Westerville · 56 km
Frost dates recorded at MARION 2 N, 2 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Marion, OH — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00334942. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/ohio/marion.