Frost dates for 45204Cincinnati, OH
The average last spring frost in Cincinnati is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 197 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 197 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 12 · Apr 26 · May 13 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · May 2 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 197 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Mar 31 · Apr 15 | Oct 30 · Nov 10 · Nov 29 | 225 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cincinnati
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 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 45204 is matched to the NOAA station Cincinnati-Fernbank, OH, 11 km away, at 500 ft elevation (130 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati-Fernbank, OH (used) | 500 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 31 |
| Cheviot, OH | 891 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 26 |
| Cincinnati Northern Ky Ap, KY | 869 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
| Cheviot 3 W, OH | 853 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Cincinnati
- Cincinnati, OH 45205 · last Apr 17, first Oct 26
- Covington, KY 41016 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Mount Saint Joseph, OH 45051 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Erlanger, KY 41025 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Ft Mitchell, KY 41017 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Bellevue, KY 41073 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Hebron, KY 41021 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Dayton, KY 41074 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cincinnati, OH?
- For ZIP code 45204, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cincinnati-Fernbank, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Cincinnati, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 45204?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 197 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.