Frost dates for 43157Thurston, OH
The average last spring frost in Thurston is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 21 · May 5 · May 22 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 12 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 28 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 2 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Thurston
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 43157 is matched to the NOAA station Lancaster Fairfield Ap, OH, 13.6 km away, at 869 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Fairfield Ap, OH (used) | 869 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 13 |
| Lancaster, OH | 827 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 24 |
| Newark Heath Ap, OH | 884 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 18 |
| Newark Wtr Wks, OH | 835 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Thurston
- Pleasantville, OH 43148 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Millersport, OH 43046 · last Apr 22, first Oct 18
- Baltimore, OH 43105 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Buckeye Lake, OH 43008 · last Apr 22, first Oct 18
- Rushville, OH 43150 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Hebron, OH 43025 · last Apr 22, first Oct 18
- Thornville, OH 43076 · last Apr 22, first Oct 18
- Kirkersville, OH 43033 · last Apr 22, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Thurston, OH?
- For ZIP code 43157, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lancaster Fairfield Ap, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Thurston, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 43157?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.