When is the last frost in Columbus, OH?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Columbus is April 18, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until May 5.

When is the first frost in Columbus?

The average first fall frost in Columbus is October 27, with a growing season of about 191 days.

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Columbus, Ohio frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 18. Average first fall frost: October 27. That gives a growing season of about 191 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 18

1-in-10 risk after May 5

First frost (50%)

Oct 27

1-in-10 risk before Oct 14

Growing season

191 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 7
70%	April 12	November 1
50%	April 18	October 27
30%	April 24	October 22
10%	May 5	October 14

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 Columbus Port Columbus International Airport weather station (USW00014821, elevation 247 m), 1991–2020.

Columbus vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 18). 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 28	Apr 25 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 7	Mar 21
Brussels sprouts	Feb 7	Mar 21
Cabbage	Jan 31	Mar 14
Cauliflower	Feb 21	Apr 4
Sweet corn	Mar 21	Apr 18 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Apr 4	Apr 25
Kale	Jan 31	Mar 14
Leeks	Jan 3	Mar 14
Lettuce	Feb 28	Apr 4
Melons	Apr 11	May 2
Onions	Dec 27	Mar 7 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 21	Mar 21 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 7	May 2
Squash	Apr 11	May 2
Tomatoes	Feb 21	Apr 18

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 October 27. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 14. 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 6.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Dayton, OH	Apr 16	Oct 28	~114 km
Akron, OH	Apr 24	Oct 28	~167 km
Cleveland, OH	Apr 20	Nov 3	~180 km
Cincinnati, OH	Apr 18	Oct 25	~185 km
Toledo, OH	Apr 22	Oct 24	~194 km
Charleston, WV	Apr 16	Oct 26	~210 km

More: all Ohio frost dates