Frost dates for 45697Winchester, OH
The average last spring frost in Winchester is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 20 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 12 · Apr 29 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Winchester
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 – Jun 30 |
| 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 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 30 |
| 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 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 45697 is matched to the NOAA station Hillsboro, OH, 33.5 km away, at 953 ft elevation (48 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro, OH (used) | 953 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
| Ripley Exp Farm, OH | 880 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 11 |
| Maysville Wwtp, KY | 515 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 30 |
| Augusta 2, KY | 508 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Winchester
- Cherry Fork, OH 45618 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Seaman, OH 45679 · last Apr 24, first Oct 20
- Sardinia, OH 45171 · last Apr 24, first Oct 20
- Russellville, OH 45168 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Decatur, OH 45115 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Mowrystown, OH 45155 · last Apr 24, first Oct 20
- West Union, OH 45693 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Bentonville, OH 45105 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Winchester, OH?
- For ZIP code 45697, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hillsboro, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Winchester, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 45697?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.