Frost dates for 44101Cleveland, OH
The average last spring frost in Cleveland is April 8 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 8 · Apr 20 · May 1 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 14 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 8 · Apr 20 | Nov 1 · Nov 12 · Nov 28 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 13 | Nov 7 · Nov 22 · Dec 8 | 236 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cleveland
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 8 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 1 – May 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 44101 is matched to the NOAA station Cleveland Burke Ap, OH, 7 km away, at 584 ft elevation (72 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Burke Ap, OH (used) | 584 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 12 |
| Cleveland, OH | 763 ft | Apr 20 | Nov 3 |
| Kirtland-Holden 2, OH | 1,030 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 31 |
| Chardon, OH | 1,130 ft | May 5 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Cleveland
- Cleveland, OH 44108 · last Apr 8, first Nov 12
- Euclid, OH 44117 · last Apr 8, first Nov 12
- Beachwood, OH 44122 · last May 5, first Oct 18
- Maple Heights, OH 44137 · last Apr 8, first Nov 12
- Wickliffe, OH 44092 · last Apr 8, first Nov 12
- Gates Mills, OH 44040 · last Apr 8, first Nov 12
- Bedford, OH 44146 · last Apr 8, first Nov 12
- Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 · last May 5, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cleveland, OH?
- For ZIP code 44101, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cleveland Burke Ap, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Cleveland, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 44101?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.