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Ohio Planting Guide & Growing Season

Ohio is in USDA hardiness zone with a growing season of 175 days. The average last spring frost is Apr 15 - May 1 and the average first fall frost is Oct 1 - Oct 31.

USDA Zone Hardiness zone
Last Frost Apr 15 - May 1 Average spring
First Frost Oct 1 - Oct 31 Average fall
Growing Season 175 days Moderate season

Growing Conditions in Ohio

USDA Hardiness Zone
Average Last FrostApr 15 - May 1
Average First FrostOct 1 - Oct 31
Growing Season Length175 days

How Ohio Compares

Compare Ohio's growing conditions with states that have similar climates.

StateUSDA ZoneLast FrostFirst FrostSeason (days)
Ohio (OH) Apr 15 - May 1Oct 1 - Oct 31175
Alabama (AL) Mar 1 - Apr 1Oct 25 - Nov 15220
Alaska (AK) May 15 - Jun 15Aug 15 - Sep 15105
Arizona (AZ) Feb 1 - Apr 15Oct 15 - Dec 15270
Arkansas (AR) Mar 15 - Apr 15Oct 15 - Nov 1210
California (CA) Jan 15 - Apr 15Oct 15 - Dec 31290

Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening in Ohio

When should I start seeds indoors in Ohio?

In Ohio, the average last frost date is Apr 15 - May 1. Start most seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before this date. The USDA hardiness zone for Ohio is undefined, with a growing season of approximately 175 days.

What USDA hardiness zone is Ohio?

Ohio falls in USDA hardiness zones undefined. This affects which perennial plants will survive winter and influences optimal planting times.

When is the first frost in Ohio?

The average first frost date in Ohio is Oct 1 - Oct 31. Plan to harvest cold-sensitive crops before this date or protect them with row covers.

How long is the growing season in Ohio?

Ohio has an average growing season of 175 days, from the last frost (Apr 15 - May 1) to first frost (Oct 1 - Oct 31). This moderate season works well for most common vegetables.

Plan Your Garden

Use our seed starting calculator to get personalized planting dates, or browse all states.

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