Frost dates for 44111Cleveland, OH
The average last spring frost in Cleveland is April 20 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 17 · Apr 30 · May 17 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 173 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Nov 1 · Nov 13 · Nov 29 | 220 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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 44111 is matched to the NOAA station Cleveland, OH, 8 km away, at 763 ft elevation (1 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH (used) | 763 ft | Apr 20 | Nov 3 |
| Cleveland Burke Ap, OH | 584 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 12 |
| Elyria 3 E, OH | 730 ft | Apr 22 | Nov 1 |
| Elyria Lorain Co Ap, OH | 794 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Cleveland
- Cleveland, OH 44135 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Lakewood, OH 44107 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Rocky River, OH 44116 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Brookpark, OH 44142 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Westlake, OH 44145 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- North Olmsted, OH 44070 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Berea, OH 44017 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Bay Village, OH 44140 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cleveland, OH?
- For ZIP code 44111, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cleveland, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Cleveland, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 44111?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.