Frost dates for 43231 — Columbus, OH
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season185 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between April 9 and May 10, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 5.
- 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 typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 110 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 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 Columbus, OH
Frost dates for 43231 — Columbus, OH — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 24, zone 6b. 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 Columbus, 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 Westerville, OH weather station, 5 km away (elevation 801 ft (244 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
- Westerville Apr 22 · Oct 24
- New Albany Apr 18 · Oct 27
- Lewis Center Apr 22 · Oct 24
- Blacklick Apr 18 · Oct 27
- Galena Apr 22 · Oct 24
- Dublin Apr 22 · Oct 23
- Powell Apr 22 · Oct 23
- Hilliard Apr 22 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, OH?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, OH is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 10, 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 10.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, OH?
About 185 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.