Frost dates for 44126Cleveland, 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 1 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 44126 is matched to the NOAA station Cleveland, OH, 3.4 km away, at 763 ft elevation (18 ft higher 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
- Rocky River, OH 44116 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Cleveland, OH 44135 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- North Olmsted, OH 44070 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Westlake, OH 44145 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Brookpark, OH 44142 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Lakewood, OH 44107 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Bay Village, OH 44140 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Berea, OH 44017 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cleveland, OH?
- For ZIP code 44126, 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 44126?
- 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.