Frost dates for 43845West Lafayette, OH
The average last spring frost in West Lafayette is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 23 · May 6 · May 22 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 19 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 16 | Oct 6 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · May 2 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Lafayette
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 43845 is matched to the NOAA station Coshocton Wpc Plt, OH, 12 km away, at 760 ft elevation (41 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coshocton Wpc Plt, OH (used) | 760 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
| Coshocton Ag Rsch Stn, OH | 1,140 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 28 |
| Cambridge, OH | 800 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 17 |
| Millersburg, OH | 819 ft | May 2 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near West Lafayette
- Plainfield, OH 43836 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Coshocton, OH 43812 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Fresno, OH 43824 · last Apr 18, first Oct 28
- Newcomerstown, OH 43832 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Bakersville, OH 43803 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Keene, OH 43828 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Conesville, OH 43811 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Stone Creek, OH 43840 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Lafayette, OH?
- For ZIP code 43845, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Coshocton Wpc Plt, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in West Lafayette, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 43845?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.