Frost dates for 44253Litchfield, OH
The average last spring frost in Litchfield is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 25 · May 8 · May 25 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 3 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Litchfield
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 44253 is matched to the NOAA station Chippewa Lake, OH, 14.4 km away, at 1,180 ft elevation (163 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chippewa Lake, OH (used) | 1,180 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 19 |
| Oberlin, OH | 816 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 22 |
| Elyria 3 E, OH | 730 ft | Apr 22 | Nov 1 |
| Elyria Lorain Co Ap, OH | 794 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Litchfield
- Spencer, OH 44275 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Valley City, OH 44280 · last Apr 20, first Nov 3
- Lagrange, OH 44050 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Grafton, OH 44044 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- Medina, OH 44256 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Chippewa Lake, OH 44215 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Lodi, OH 44254 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Westfield Center, OH 44251 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Litchfield, OH?
- For ZIP code 44253, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chippewa Lake, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Litchfield, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 44253?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.