Athens, OH frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season181 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Athens compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Athens falls between April 11 and May 12, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 8 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Ohio median of Apr 24.
- Its 181-day growing season is longer than 52% of the 1,063 Ohio places with a regular frost season (state median 180 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 124 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Columbus, OH, 107 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 8 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Athens, OH
Athens, OH frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 23, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Athens, OH
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Athens Ou, OH weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 686 ft (209 m)).
Frost dates near Athens
- The Plains Apr 25 · Oct 23
- Chauncey Apr 25 · Oct 23
- Millfield Apr 25 · Oct 23
- New Marshfield Apr 25 · Oct 23
- Shade Apr 25 · Oct 23
- Amesville Apr 25 · Oct 23
- Albany Apr 27 · Oct 14
- Carbondale Apr 25 · Oct 23
- Guysville Apr 25 · Oct 23
- Buchtel Apr 25 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Athens, OH?
The median last spring frost in Athens, OH is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Athens, OH?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 8.
How long is the growing season in Athens, OH?
About 181 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Athens, OH?
Athens, OH is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.