Ohio's climate is influenced by the Great Lakes in the north and the Ohio River Valley in the south. Cleveland and Toledo have later last frost dates than Cincinnati, sometimes by three weeks or more.
The state gets reliable rainfall during the growing season, which is a major advantage. But wet springs can delay soil preparation — don't work the soil when it's waterlogged.
The last frost date is the typical date in spring when your area has its final frost. After this date, it's generally safe to plant warm-season crops outdoors.
Start tomato seeds indoors about 6–8 weeks before your last frost date. For most of Ohio, that means starting seeds in mid to late March.
Yes — cool-season crops like lettuce, peas, spinach, and broccoli can handle light frost and should be planted 4–6 weeks before your last frost date.
Lake Erie moderates temperatures near the northern coast, and the southern Ohio River Valley is warmer. Northern Ohio's frost dates can be 2–3 weeks later than Cincinnati's.
Ohio doesn't have frost-free areas, but southern Ohio near Cincinnati has a longer season than the northern part of the state. Enter your zip code for exact timing.
You enter your zip code, and we look up your local frost dates. Then based on the crops you pick, we calculate when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — personalized to your location.