Jefferson, OH frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season172 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Jefferson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Jefferson falls between April 18 and May 20, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Ohio median of Apr 24.
- Its 172-day growing season is longer than 20% of the 1,063 Ohio places with a regular frost season (state median 180 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 124 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Erie, PA, 72 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 20 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
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 Jefferson, OH
Jefferson, OH frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 21, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Jefferson, OH
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Ashtabula Co Ap, OH weather station, 7 km away (elevation 925 ft (282 m)).
Frost dates near Jefferson
- Austinburg May 2 · Oct 21
- Dorset May 10 · Oct 10
- Rock Creek May 10 · Oct 10
- Ashtabula May 2 · Oct 21
- Pierpont May 2 · Oct 21
- Rome May 10 · Oct 10
- Kingsville May 2 · Oct 21
- Geneva May 2 · Oct 21
- Andover May 10 · Oct 10
- North Kingsville May 2 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Jefferson, OH?
The median last spring frost in Jefferson, OH is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Jefferson, OH?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Jefferson, OH?
About 172 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Jefferson, OH?
Jefferson, OH is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.