Frost Dates for Upper Arlington, OH

In Upper Arlington, OH, the average last spring frost is around Apr 20 and the average first fall frost around Oct 24, for a growing season of about 185 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 7, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 2050% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 7only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 2450% chance of frost before this date
Growing season185 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Columbus Wcmh, OH weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 740 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%May 7Oct 13
20%May 1Oct 17
30%Apr 27Oct 20
40%Apr 24Oct 22
50%Apr 20Oct 24
60%Apr 18Oct 26
70%Apr 15Oct 29
80%Apr 11Nov 1
90%Apr 5Nov 4

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 30Oct 13
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 20Oct 24
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 8Nov 3

Planting calendar for Upper Arlington

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Apr 27 – May 11
Peppers
Indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant May 4 – May 18
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant May 4 – May 18
Basil
Indoors Mar 9 – Mar 23
Transplant Apr 27 – May 11
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 23 – Mar 30
Sow or transplant Apr 27 – May 11
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 23 – Mar 30
Sow or transplant Apr 27 – May 11
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 27 – May 11
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 23 – Mar 30
Sow or transplant May 4 – May 18
Green beans
Sow Apr 27 – May 11
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 27 – May 11
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 9 – Mar 23
Sow or transplant Mar 23 – Apr 6
Fall sowing Aug 29 – Sep 26
Spinach
Sow Mar 9 – Mar 30
Fall sowing Aug 29 – Sep 19
Peas
Sow Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall sowing Aug 15 – Aug 29
Kale
Indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9
Sow or transplant Mar 23 – Apr 6
Fall sowing Aug 15 – Sep 12
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Fall sowing Aug 1 – Aug 15
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Fall sowing Aug 1 – Aug 15
Carrots
Sow Mar 30 – Apr 20
Fall sowing Aug 1 – Aug 15
Radishes
Sow Mar 16 – Apr 6
Fall sowing Sep 12 – Oct 3
Beets
Sow Mar 30 – Apr 20
Fall sowing Aug 15 – Aug 29
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9
Plant Mar 23 – Apr 6
Potatoes
Plant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Garlic
Plant Oct 24 – Nov 21

Based on the average last frost (Apr 20) and first frost (Oct 24). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

HilliardColumbusDublinGrove CityGahannaWestervilleReynoldsburgDelawareAll Ohio towns