When Is the Last Frost in Ohio?
The average last spring frost in Ohio falls between April 17 and April 30 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 24. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | Apr 20 | May 7 | Oct 24 | 185 days |
| Cleveland | Apr 8 | Apr 20 | Nov 12 | 217 days |
| Cincinnati | Apr 16 | May 3 | Oct 25 | 190 days |
| Toledo | Apr 20 | May 7 | Oct 27 | 188 days |
| Akron | Apr 24 | May 9 | Oct 28 | 186 days |
| Dayton | Apr 18 | May 5 | Oct 25 | 189 days |
| Parma | Apr 20 | May 5 | Nov 3 | 198 days |
| Canton | Apr 24 | May 11 | Oct 26 | 184 days |
| Lorain | Apr 24 | May 10 | Oct 24 | 182 days |
| Hamilton | Apr 22 | May 10 | Oct 18 | 178 days |
| Youngstown | May 1 | May 20 | Oct 17 | 167 days |
| Springfield | Apr 25 | May 12 | Oct 19 | 175 days |
| Newark | Apr 29 | May 17 | Oct 16 | 167 days |
| Mansfield | Apr 26 | May 12 | Oct 22 | 177 days |
| Mentor | Apr 26 | May 14 | Oct 31 | 184 days |
| Delaware | Apr 19 | May 5 | Oct 26 | 188 days |
| Lancaster | Apr 22 | May 9 | Oct 24 | 183 days |
| Findlay | Apr 19 | May 6 | Oct 23 | 185 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 130 Ohio weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from April 8 at Cleveland Burke AP, OH to May 10 at Dorset, OH. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Ohio?
The average first fall frost in Ohio arrives between October 14 and October 29 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 22. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Columbus has a 10% chance of frost before October 13, Cleveland has a 10% chance of frost before November 1 and Cincinnati has a 10% chance of frost before October 12. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Ohio?
Transplant tomatoes in Ohio 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 27 – May 4 in Columbus, Apr 15 – Apr 22 in Cleveland and Apr 23 – Apr 30 in Cincinnati. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 4 | after May 7 |
| Cleveland | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | after Apr 20 |
| Cincinnati | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | after May 3 |
| Toledo | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 4 | after May 7 |
| Akron | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 9 |
| Dayton | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 2 | after May 5 |
| Parma | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 4 | after May 5 |
| Canton | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 11 |
| Lorain | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 10 |
| Hamilton | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 6 | after May 10 |
| Youngstown | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 15 | after May 20 |
| Springfield | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 9 | after May 12 |
| Newark | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 17 |
| Mansfield | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 10 | after May 12 |
| Mentor | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 10 | after May 14 |
| Delaware | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 3 | after May 5 |
| Lancaster | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 6 | after May 9 |
| Findlay | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 3 | after May 6 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Columbus and When?
Columbus's average last frost of April 20 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from March 9, broccoli and lettuce transplants from March 23, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after April 27.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30 – Apr 6direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 4transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 11transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 11transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Apr 27 – May 11direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 27 – May 11direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 11transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Columbus (last frost Apr 20, NOAA station Columbus Wcmh, OH, 2 miles from ZIP 43201). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Ohio?
The frost-free growing season in Ohio lasts about 167 to 192 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 180 days. Among the listed cities, Youngstown has the shortest season at 167 days and Cleveland the longest at 217.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Ohio range from 154 days at Dorset, OH to 217 days at Cleveland Burke AP, OH. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Ohio?
Ohio spans USDA hardiness zones 6a to 7a, with zone 6b the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Ohio planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Ohio?
- The average last spring frost in Ohio falls between April 17 and April 30 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 24. Among major cities it ranges from April 8 in Cleveland to May 1 in Youngstown.
- When is the last frost in Columbus, Ohio?
- Columbus's average last spring frost is April 20, and by May 7 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages October 24, giving a 185-day growing season (NOAA station Columbus Wcmh, OH).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Ohio?
- Transplant tomatoes in Ohio 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 27 – May 4 in Columbus, Apr 15 – Apr 22 in Cleveland and Apr 23 – Apr 30 in Cincinnati. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Ohio?
- The average first fall frost in Ohio arrives between October 14 and October 29 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 22. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Ohio?
- The frost-free growing season in Ohio lasts about 167 to 192 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 180 days, from 167 days in Youngstown to 217 days in Cleveland.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.