Frost dates for 44272Rootstown, OH
The average last spring frost in Rootstown is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 18 · May 2 · May 18 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 21 · May 7 | Oct 14 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 9 · Apr 24 | Oct 28 · Nov 8 · Nov 24 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rootstown
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 44272 is matched to the NOAA station Ravenna 2 S, OH, 7.7 km away, at 1,107 ft elevation (38 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravenna 2 S, OH (used) | 1,107 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 29 |
| Stow 4 Se, OH | 1,060 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 21 |
| Akron Fulton Intl Ap, OH | 1,044 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 28 |
| Hiram, OH | 1,230 ft | May 1 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Rootstown
- Atwater, OH 44201 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Ravenna, OH 44266 · last Apr 21, first Oct 29
- Randolph, OH 44265 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Brady Lake, OH 44211 · last Apr 21, first Oct 29
- Kent, OH 44243 · last Apr 24, first Oct 28
- Wayland, OH 44285 · last May 8, first Oct 12
- Diamond, OH 44412 · last May 8, first Oct 12
- Limaville, OH 44640 · last Apr 24, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rootstown, OH?
- For ZIP code 44272, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ravenna 2 S, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Rootstown, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 44272?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.