GardenFacts

All states › Ohio › Columbus

Frost dates and planting calendar for Columbus, Ohio

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
6b[1]
Median last spring frost
Apr 18[2]
Median first fall frost
Oct 27[3]
Growing season, median
191 days[4]

Columbus, Ohio sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b[1]. The median last spring frost at the airport weather station is April 18[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Apr 4, half of years Apr 18, 1 in 10 years after May 5Last frostmedian Apr 18First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Nov 7, half of years Oct 27, 1 in 10 years before Oct 14First frostmedian Oct 27Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Mar 21 to Apr 4Mar 21 to Apr 4Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Apr 4 to Apr 18Apr 4 to Apr 18TenderTender vegetables: plant around Apr 18around Apr 18Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from May 2from May 2
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

These frost dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Columbus Port Columbus International Airport station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after April 18, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after May 5[2]. In 9 of 10 years it comes after April 4[2]. The first fall frost comes before October 27 in half of years, and before November 7 in 9 of 10 years[3]. These are chances from past records and not a forecast, so any year can be earlier or later.

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after April 4 after April 18 after May 5
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before October 14 before October 27 before November 7
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date April 5, median first fall date November 6[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 169 days in 9 of 10 years, 191 days in half of years and 209 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Columbus Port Columbus International Airport (USW00014821), 5.5 miles from the city center, 810 feet, 28 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension wrote its planting guide for Colorado, so treat these dates as a starting point[6]. CSU puts broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, peas, spinach and other hardy vegetables as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the average last frost[6]. Using the median last frost of April 18, that is March 21 to April 4[6]. Semi-hardy vegetables such as beets, carrots and potatoes can go in as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost, which is April 4, up to the median date itself[9]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans and sweet corn go in from seed around April 18[10]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers typically wait 2 or more weeks after the median last frost, so the earliest start is May 2[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (April 18) is March 21 to April 4[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (April 18) is April 4, up to the median date itself[9]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, April 18[10]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (April 18), is May 2[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Mar 21 May 25 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Mar 21 Jun 14 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Mar 21 May 10
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Mar 21 May 20
Onions (hardy)[12] Mar 21 Jul 9
Peas (hardy)[12] Mar 21 May 25
Radishes (hardy)[12] Mar 21 Apr 20
Spinach (hardy)[12] Mar 21 Apr 30
Turnips (hardy)[12] Mar 21 May 10
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 4 Jun 3
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 4 Jun 13
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 4 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 4 Jun 13
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 4 Aug 7
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 4 Jun 3
Snap beans (tender)[12] Apr 18 Jun 17
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Apr 18 Jun 17
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Apr 18 Jun 12
Summer squash (tender)[12] Apr 18 Jun 7
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] May 2 Jul 26
Eggplant (very tender)[12] May 2 Jul 1 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] May 2 Jul 11 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] May 2 Jul 6 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] May 2 Aug 10
Watermelon (very tender)[12] May 2 Jul 26
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[13] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[13] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[13] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[13] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[13] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[13] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[13] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[13] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[13] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[13] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[13] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[13] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[13] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[13] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[13] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[13] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

The USDA map puts the center of Columbus in zone 6b, which means an average coldest night of -5°F to 0°F over 1991 to 2020[1]. A zone is based on the coldest winter night and not on summer heat or frost dates[14]. By land area, 99% of the city lies in ZIP code areas rated 6b and 1% in areas rated 6a, so the city is almost all one zone[15].

Zone 6b: average annual extreme minimum temperature -5°F to 0°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: -2.7°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 6b 99%, zone 6a 1%[15].

All towns in zone 6b and what zone 6b means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
43207[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43228[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43219[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43235[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43232[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43229[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43137[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43110[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43204[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43224[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43214[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43223[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43081[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43230[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43123[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43213[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43215[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43026[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43211[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43119[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43227[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43016[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43209[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43231[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43221[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43201[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43206[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43054[15] 6a -10 to -5°F
43068[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
43125[15] 6b -5 to 0°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Columbus, Ohio?
The center of Columbus is in USDA zone 6b[1]. By land area, 99% of the city is in ZIP code areas rated 6b and 1% in areas rated 6a[15].
When is the last frost in Columbus?
The median last spring frost is April 18, so in half of years the last frost comes after that date[2]. In 1 of 10 years it comes after May 5[2].
When is the first frost in Columbus?
In half of years the first fall frost comes before October 27[3]. In 1 of 10 years it comes before October 14[3].
When to plant tomatoes in Columbus?
CSU Extension typically has very tender vegetables like tomatoes wait 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[11]. With the median last frost of April 18, the earliest start is May 2[11].
How long is the growing season in Columbus?
The growing season is at least 191 days in half of years[4]. It is at least 169 days in 9 of 10 years[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Columbus, Ohio in zone 6b. Zone 6b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of -5°F to 0°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is minus 2.7°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after April 4, in half of years after April 18, and in 1 of 10 years after May 5 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is April 18. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 14, in half of years before October 27, and in 9 of 10 years before November 7 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is October 27. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 169 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 191 days in half of years, and at least 209 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Columbus Port Columbus International Airport weather station (USW00014821), 5.5 miles from the center of Columbus at 810 feet, using 28 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is April 5 and the median first fall date is November 6. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 100% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  15. Columbus, Ohio overlaps 40 ZIP code areas. By land area, 99% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 6b, 1% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 6a. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.