Frost dates for 45216Cincinnati, OH
The average last spring frost in Cincinnati is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (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 14 · Apr 29 · May 14 | Oct 2 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 16 · May 3 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 24 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 215 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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 45216 is matched to the NOAA station Cincinnati Lunken Ap, OH, 12.2 km away, at 490 ft elevation (35 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Lunken Ap, OH (used) | 490 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
| Cheviot, OH | 891 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 26 |
| Milford, OH | 520 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 18 |
| Cheviot 3 W, OH | 853 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Cincinnati
- Cincinnati, OH 45237 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Dayton, KY 41074 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Bellevue, KY 41073 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Covington, KY 41016 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Fort Thomas, KY 41075 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Fairfield, OH 45014 · last Apr 22, first Oct 18
- Terrace Park, OH 45174 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Newport, KY 41071 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cincinnati, OH?
- For ZIP code 45216, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cincinnati Lunken Ap, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Cincinnati, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. 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 45216?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.