Grand Rapids, OH frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season185 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Grand Rapids compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Grand Rapids falls between April 6 and May 7, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 8.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Ohio median of Apr 24.
- Its 185-day growing season is longer than 64% of the 1,063 Ohio places with a regular frost season (state median 180 days).
- The last frost is 7 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 123 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Toledo, OH, 38 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 5 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 8 |
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 Grand Rapids, OH
Grand Rapids, OH frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 24, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Grand Rapids, OH
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Toledo Express Ap, OH weather station, 17 km away (elevation 669 ft (204 m)).
Frost dates near Grand Rapids
- Neapolis Apr 22 · Oct 24
- Whitehouse Apr 22 · Oct 24
- Tontogany Apr 22 · Oct 25
- Mc Clure Apr 24 · Oct 21
- Weston Apr 24 · Oct 21
- Liberty Center Apr 24 · Oct 21
- Waterville Apr 22 · Oct 24
- Haskins Apr 22 · Oct 25
- Colton Apr 24 · Oct 21
- Milton Center Apr 24 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Grand Rapids, OH?
The median last spring frost in Grand Rapids, OH is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Grand Rapids, OH?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Grand Rapids, OH?
About 185 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Grand Rapids, OH?
Grand Rapids, OH is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.