When is the last frost in Cleveland, OH?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Cleveland is April 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until May 5.

When is the first frost in Cleveland?

The average first fall frost in Cleveland is November 3, with a growing season of about 198 days.

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Cleveland, Ohio frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 20. Average first fall frost: November 3. That gives a growing season of about 198 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is May 5, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 20

1-in-10 risk after May 5

First frost (50%)

Nov 3

1-in-10 risk before Oct 21

Growing season

198 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Apr 5

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	April 4	November 17
70%	April 14	November 8
50%	April 20	November 3
30%	April 27	October 30
10%	May 5	October 21

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after May 5. These are NOAA probabilities for the Cleveland weather station (USW00014820, elevation 233 m), 1991–2020.

Cleveland vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 20). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (May 5) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 30	Apr 27 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 9	Mar 23
Brussels sprouts	Feb 9	Mar 23
Cabbage	Feb 2	Mar 16
Cauliflower	Feb 23	Apr 6
Sweet corn	Mar 23	Apr 20 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Apr 6	Apr 27
Kale	Feb 2	Mar 16
Leeks	Jan 5	Mar 16
Lettuce	Mar 2	Apr 6
Melons	Apr 13	May 4
Onions	Dec 29	Mar 9 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 23	Mar 23 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 9	May 4
Squash	Apr 13	May 4
Tomatoes	Feb 23	Apr 20

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around November 3. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 21. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 13.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Akron, OH	Apr 24	Oct 28	~53 km
Detroit, MI	Apr 20	Oct 27	~152 km
Toledo, OH	Apr 22	Oct 24	~163 km
Pittsburgh, PA	Apr 23	Oct 23	~171 km
Columbus, OH	Apr 18	Oct 27	~179 km
Dayton, OH	Apr 16	Oct 28	~258 km

More: all Ohio frost dates