Mentor, OH frost dates
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season188 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Mentor compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mentor falls between April 11 and May 14, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Ohio median of Apr 24.
- Its 188-day growing season is longer than 76% of the 1,063 Ohio places with a regular frost season (state median 180 days).
- The last frost is 10 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 124 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Cleveland, OH, 31 km away, the last frost here is 18 days later than there and the growing season is 30 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Mentor, OH
Mentor, OH frost dates — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 31, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mentor, OH
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Kirtland-Holden, OH weather station, 8 km away (elevation 1,030 ft (314 m)).
ZIP codes in Mentor: 44060 44061
Frost dates near Mentor
- Willoughby Apr 26 · Oct 31
- Grand River Apr 15 · Nov 9
- Eastlake Apr 26 · Oct 31
- Painesville Apr 15 · Nov 9
- Wickliffe Apr 26 · Oct 31
- Chesterland Apr 26 · Oct 31
- Chardon May 5 · Oct 18
- Gates Mills Apr 26 · Oct 31
- Euclid Apr 8 · Nov 12
- Perry Apr 15 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mentor, OH?
The median last spring frost in Mentor, OH is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mentor, OH?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Mentor, OH?
About 188 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mentor, OH?
Mentor, OH is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.