Frost dates for 44057Madison, OH
The average last spring frost in Madison is April 15 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 209 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 209 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 15 · Apr 28 · May 12 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · Apr 27 | Oct 30 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 209 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 4 · Apr 18 | Nov 7 · Nov 21 · Dec 7 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Madison
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 44057 is matched to the NOAA station Painesville 4 Nw, OH, 20.5 km away, at 600 ft elevation (63 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painesville 4 Nw, OH (used) | 600 ft | Apr 15 | Nov 9 |
| Chardon, OH | 1,130 ft | May 5 | Oct 18 |
| Kirtland-Holden 2, OH | 1,030 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 31 |
| Ashtabula Co Ap, OH | 924 ft | May 2 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Madison
- Unionville, OH 44088 · last Apr 15, first Nov 9
- Perry, OH 44081 · last Apr 15, first Nov 9
- Geneva, OH 44041 · last Apr 15, first Nov 9
- Thompson, OH 44086 · last May 5, first Oct 18
- Painesville, OH 44077 · last Apr 15, first Nov 9
- Austinburg, OH 44010 · last May 2, first Oct 21
- Grand River, OH 44045 · last Apr 15, first Nov 9
- Montville, OH 44064 · last May 5, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Madison, OH?
- For ZIP code 44057, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Painesville 4 Nw, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Madison, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 44057?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 209 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.