Frost dates for 44396Akron, OH
The average last spring frost in Akron is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 186 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 186 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 21 · May 3 · May 21 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 9 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 8 | 186 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 13 · Apr 25 | Oct 27 · Nov 7 · Nov 21 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Akron
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 44396 is matched to the NOAA station Akron Fulton Intl Ap, OH, 12 km away, at 1,044 ft elevation (263 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron Fulton Intl Ap, OH (used) | 1,044 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 28 |
| Stow 4 Se, OH | 1,060 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 21 |
| Ravenna 2 S, OH | 1,107 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 29 |
| Akron Canton Rgnl Ap, OH | 1,208 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Akron
- Hudson, OH 44237 · last Apr 24, first Oct 28
- Akron, OH 44372 · last Apr 24, first Oct 28
- Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223 · last Apr 24, first Oct 28
- Fairlawn, OH 44334 · last Apr 24, first Oct 28
- Munroe Falls, OH 44262 · last Apr 24, first Oct 28
- Stow, OH 44224 · last Apr 24, first Oct 28
- Tallmadge, OH 44278 · last Apr 24, first Oct 28
- Bath, OH 44210 · last Apr 24, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Akron, OH?
- For ZIP code 44396, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Akron Fulton Intl Ap, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Akron, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 44396?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 186 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.