Frost dates for 44857Norwalk, OH
The average last spring frost in Norwalk is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (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 4 · May 20 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 9 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 12 · Apr 28 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 206 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Norwalk
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 44857 is matched to the NOAA station Norwalk Wwtp, OH, 3 km away, at 670 ft elevation (39 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwalk Wwtp, OH (used) | 670 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 25 |
| Sandusky, OH | 584 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 5 |
| Oberlin, OH | 816 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 22 |
| Elyria Lorain Co Ap, OH | 794 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Norwalk
- Milan, OH 44846 · last Apr 25, first Oct 25
- Monroeville, OH 44847 · last Apr 25, first Oct 25
- Collins, OH 44826 · last Apr 25, first Oct 25
- Berlin Heights, OH 44814 · last Apr 25, first Oct 25
- North Fairfield, OH 44855 · last Apr 25, first Oct 25
- Huron, OH 44839 · last Apr 25, first Oct 25
- Wakeman, OH 44889 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Flat Rock, OH 44828 · last Apr 25, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Norwalk, OH?
- For ZIP code 44857, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Norwalk Wwtp, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Norwalk, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 44857?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 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.