Frost dates for 43230 — Columbus, OH
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season192 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between April 4 and May 5, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Ohio median of Apr 24.
- Its 192-day growing season is longer than 87% of the 1,063 Ohio places with a regular frost season (state median 180 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 103 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 43230 — Columbus, OH — last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 27, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
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 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 21 – Apr 25 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Port Columbus Intl Ap, OH weather station, 5 km away (elevation 810 ft (247 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
- Blacklick Apr 18 · Oct 27
- Westerville Apr 22 · Oct 24
- New Albany Apr 18 · Oct 27
- Reynoldsburg Apr 18 · Oct 27
- Summit Station Apr 18 · Oct 27
- Brice Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Groveport Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Pickerington Apr 23 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, OH?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, OH is April 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, 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 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, OH?
About 192 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.