Frost dates for 43231Columbus, OH
The average last spring frost in Columbus is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 19 · May 2 · May 21 | Sep 27 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 162 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 22 · May 10 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 9 · Apr 24 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Columbus
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 43231 is matched to the NOAA station Westerville, OH, 5.1 km away, at 802 ft elevation (51 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westerville, OH (used) | 802 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 24 |
| Columbus Wcmh, OH | 740 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 24 |
| Columbus Port Columbus Intl Ap, OH | 810 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 27 |
| Columbus Ohio State Univ Ap, OH | 905 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Columbus
- Columbus, OH 43229 · last Apr 22, first Oct 23
- Westerville, OH 43081 · last Apr 22, first Oct 24
- New Albany, OH 43054 · last Apr 18, first Oct 27
- Lewis Center, OH 43035 · last Apr 22, first Oct 24
- Blacklick, OH 43004 · last Apr 18, first Oct 27
- Groveport, OH 43199 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Galena, OH 43021 · last Apr 22, first Oct 24
- Dublin, OH 43017 · last Apr 22, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbus, OH?
- For ZIP code 43231, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Westerville, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Columbus, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 43231?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 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.