Frost Dates for Ashtabula, OH 44004

Last spring frost May 15 · First fall frost October 5 · 143 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b

ZIP 44004 has about 31,100 people.

Moderate season: 143 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 30–May 29 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 18–October 21 (33 days).

Frost probability for 44004

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 29May 15April 30
Fall (first frost)September 18October 5October 21

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at JAMESTOWN 2 NW (47.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 143-day season in Ashtabula

In Ashtabula (143 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoApr 10May 29–Jun 5101fits: 80 days to maturity, 101 available after May 29.Jun 5
PepperApr 3May 29–Jun 5101fits: 75 days to maturity, 101 available after May 29.Jun 10
LettuceMar 20Apr 17–Apr 24178two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 14
Carrots—Apr 24–May 1185fits: 70 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 24.Aug 3
CucumberApr 24May 29–Jun 5115fits: 60 days to maturity, 115 available after May 29.Jul 9
Beans—May 22–Jun 5129fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 22.Jul 16
Peas—Mar 20–May 29206fits: 65 days to maturity, 206 available after Mar 20.Jul 25
ZucchiniMay 1May 29–Jun 5115fits: 55 days to maturity, 115 available after May 29.Jul 14
OnionFeb 20Apr 17–May 1178fits: 100 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 17.—
Spinach—Mar 20–May 8220two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26.Sep 2
KaleMar 6Apr 17–May 1192two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 18
BroccoliMar 20Apr 17–May 1178fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 17.Jul 10
CabbageMar 20Apr 17–May 1192fits: 70 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 17.Aug 3
Radish—Mar 20–Jun 12206two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12.Sep 3
Beets—Mar 20–Jun 12206two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 4
Potatoes—May 1–May 8164fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 1.—
Garlic—Oct 5248overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer.Oct 26
Strawberry—Apr 10–Jun 5199perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 17May 22–May 29115fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 22.Jun 17
PumpkinMay 1May 29–May 29108fits: 100 days to maturity, 108 available after May 29.—
CauliflowerApr 3May 8–May 22157fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after May 8.Jul 15
Swiss ChardMar 20May 1–May 1164two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 4
Arugula—Mar 20–Jun 12220two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26.Sep 2
Brussel SproutsMar 20Apr 17–May 1192fits: 100 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 17.Jul 4
Butternut SquashMay 1May 29–Jun 5108fits: 100 days to maturity, 108 available after May 29.—
EggplantMar 27May 29–Jun 5101fits: 70 days to maturity, 101 available after May 29.Jun 15
OkraApr 17May 22–May 29122fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 22.Jul 14
BasilApr 10Jun 5–Jun 5108fits: 60 days to maturity, 108 available after Jun 5.Jul 9
Cilantro—Apr 17–May 8178two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 9
ParsleyMar 6May 22–May 29143fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 22.Jul 20
CeleryMar 6May 22–Jun 5143fits: 120 days to maturity, 143 available after May 22.May 31
ScallionsMar 6Apr 17–May 1192two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 13
Turnip—Apr 17–May 1192two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 23
Kohlrabi—Apr 3–Apr 17206two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 18
Bok ChoyApr 17May 8–May 15157two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 14
CollardsMar 6Apr 17–May 1192two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 13
CantaloupeMay 1May 29–Jun 5101fits: 85 days to maturity, 101 available after May 29.May 31
ChivesFeb 20May 22–May 29157fits: 90 days to maturity, 157 available after May 22.—
Dill—Mar 20–Jun 12206two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 4
OreganoMar 6May 22–May 29157fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after May 22.—
RosemaryFeb 20May 22–May 29143fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after May 22.—
SageMar 20May 22–May 29157fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after May 22.—
ThymeMar 6May 22–May 29157fits: 90 days to maturity, 157 available after May 22.—
CalendulaApr 3May 1–May 15164two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 9
CosmosApr 17May 15–May 29129fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 15.Jul 9
LavenderFeb 20May 15–May 29164fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 15.—
MarigoldsApr 3May 15–May 22129two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21.Jul 19
MelonsMay 1May 29–Jun 5101fits: 85 days to maturity, 101 available after May 29.May 31
Mint—May 15–May 29164fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 15.—
NasturtiumsApr 17May 15–May 22129two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21.Jul 14
Pole Beans—May 22–Jun 5122fits: 65 days to maturity, 122 available after May 22.Jul 4
Spaghetti SquashMay 1May 29–Jun 5108fits: 90 days to maturity, 108 available after May 29.Jun 2
Sunflowers—May 15–May 29129fits: 70 days to maturity, 129 available after May 15.Jun 29
TomatillosMar 20May 22–May 29108fits: 75 days to maturity, 108 available after May 22.Jun 10
WatermelonMay 1May 22–May 29108fits: 80 days to maturity, 108 available after May 22.Jun 5
Yellow SquashMay 1May 29–Jun 5115fits: 55 days to maturity, 115 available after May 29.Jul 14
ZinniasApr 17May 15–May 29129fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 15.Jul 9

Month by month in Ashtabula

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 20), Lavender (Feb 20), Onion (Feb 20), Rosemary (Feb 20).
MarchStart indoors: Celery (Mar 6), Collards (Mar 6), Kale (Mar 6), Oregano (Mar 6), Parsley (Mar 6), Scallions (Mar 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 20), Beets (Mar 20), Dill (Mar 20), Peas (Mar 20), Radish (Mar 20), Spinach (Mar 20).
AprilStart indoors: Calendula (Apr 3), Cauliflower (Apr 3), Marigolds (Apr 3), Pepper (Apr 3), Basil (Apr 10), Tomato (Apr 10), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 3), Cilantro (Apr 17), Turnip (Apr 17), Carrots (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 17), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 17), Cabbage (Apr 17), Collards (Apr 17), Kale (Apr 17), Lettuce (Apr 17), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 10).
MayStart indoors: Butternut Squash (May 1), Cantaloupe (May 1), Melons (May 1), Pumpkin (May 1), Spaghetti Squash (May 1), Watermelon (May 1), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 1), Sunflowers (May 15), Beans (May 22), Pole Beans (May 22). Transplant from: Calendula (May 1), Swiss Chard (May 1), Bok Choy (May 8), Cauliflower (May 8), Cosmos (May 15), Lavender (May 15), +26 more. Last frost around May 15. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 31), Celery (May 31), Melons (May 31).
JuneTransplant from: Basil (Jun 5). Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 2), Tomato (Jun 5), Watermelon (Jun 5), Pepper (Jun 10), Tomatillos (Jun 10), Eggplant (Jun 15), +2 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 4), Pole Beans (Jul 4), Basil (Jul 9), Cosmos (Jul 9), Cucumber (Jul 9), Zinnias (Jul 9), +10 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 3), Carrots (Aug 3), Beets (Aug 4), Dill (Aug 4), Swiss Chard (Aug 4), Calendula (Aug 9), +8 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 2), Spinach (Sep 2), Radish (Sep 3).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 5). First frost around October 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 26).
NovemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.
DecemberClean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Ashtabula, OH (ZIP 44004)?

The median last spring frost date for Ashtabula, OH (ZIP code 44004) is around May 15. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 30; one in ten it runs past May 29.

What is the first fall frost date in Ashtabula, OH?

The median first fall frost date for Ashtabula, OH is around October 5. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Ashtabula, OH?

The frost-free growing season in Ashtabula is about 143 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Ashtabula (143 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Ashtabula, OH?

Ashtabula, OH is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.

When should I start tomatoes indoors in Ashtabula, OH?

Start tomatoes indoors Apr 10 and plant out May 29 in Ashtabula. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ashtabula?

Two: plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.

When do I plant garlic in Ashtabula?

Oct 5 to Oct 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Painesville (ZIP 44077) has 174 frost-free days, 31 more than Ashtabula (ZIP 44004). See Painesville ZIP 44077 frost dates

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