Frost dates for 43216 — Columbus, OH
Last spring frostApr 20median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season187 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between April 5 and May 7, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 13 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Ohio median of Apr 24.
- Its 187-day growing season is longer than 74% 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 113 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 13 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Columbus, OH
Frost dates for 43216 — Columbus, OH — last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 24, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Transplant outside: May 4 to May 25
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbus, OH
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 23 – Apr 27 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Basil | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 27 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 4 – May 25 | — | — |
| 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 Columbus Wcmh, OH weather station, 6 km away (elevation 741 ft (226 m)).
ZIP codes in Columbus: 43085 43201 43202 43203 43204 43205 43206 43207 43209 43210 43211 43212 43213 43214 43215 43216 43217 43218 43219 43220 43221 43222 43223 43224 43226 43227 43228 43229 43230 43231 43232 43234 43235 43236 43240 43251 43260 43266 43268 43270 43271 43272 43279 43287 43291
Frost dates near Columbus
- Groveport Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Grove City Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Hilliard Apr 22 · Oct 23
- Westerville Apr 22 · Oct 24
- Galloway Apr 20 · Oct 24
- Brice Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Lockbourne Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Reynoldsburg Apr 18 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, OH?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, OH is April 20. 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 Columbus, OH?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 13.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, OH?
About 187 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbus, OH?
Columbus, OH is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.