Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Columbus, Ohio

Typical last spring frost April 18 (1 spring in 10 later than May 5). Typical first fall frost October 27 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 14). Growing season about 191 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 4 and fades out by May 5. It is unlikely from then until October 14, and likely again after November 7. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 18 and October 27.

January

  • January 31 to February 28: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)

February

  • February 14 to March 14: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)
  • February 28 to March 21: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 7 to 21: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 14 to 28: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 21 to April 4: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 21 to April 4: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

April

  • April 4 to 18: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 4 to 18: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 18: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 2: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • May 2: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

June

  • June 1 to 15: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)
  • June 21 to July 5: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 31: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)

August

  • August 4: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 5: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 9: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 10: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 14: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 24: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 3: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 13: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 14: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 13 to 20: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Columbus Port Columbus International Airport (station USW00014821), 6 miles from the center of Columbus. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/ohio/columbus/

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