Frost Dates for Bedford, OH 44146
Last spring frost April 28 · First fall frost October 23 · 178 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 44146 has about 29,300 people.
Moderate season: 178 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 14–May 10 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 8–November 7 (30 days).
Frost probability for 44146
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 10 | April 28 | April 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 8 | October 23 | November 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HIRAM (33.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 178-day season in Bedford
In Bedford (178 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 24 | May 12–May 19 | 136 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 136 available after May 12. | Jun 23 |
| Pepper | Mar 17 | May 12–May 19 | 136 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 12. | Jun 28 |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 220 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 7. | Aug 21 |
| Cucumber | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Peas | — | Mar 3–May 12 | 241 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 3. | Aug 12 |
| Zucchini | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Onion | Feb 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 213 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 3–Apr 21 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 31. | Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 227 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 31. | Aug 21 |
| Radish | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 21 |
| Beets | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 23 | 283 | overwinter: Plant Oct 23 to Nov 13; harvest the following summer. | Nov 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 24–May 19 | 234 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 150 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after May 5. | Jul 5 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 14 | May 12–May 12 | 143 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 12. | Jun 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 | Apr 21–May 5 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 21. | Aug 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 227 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 31. | Jul 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 143 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 12. | Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 136 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 136 available after May 12. | Jul 3 |
| Okra | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Basil | Mar 24 | May 19–May 19 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 31–Apr 21 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Parsley | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after May 5. | Aug 7 |
| Celery | Feb 17 | May 5–May 19 | 178 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 178 available after May 5. | Jun 18 |
| Scallions | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Collards | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 136 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 136 available after May 12. | Jun 18 |
| Chives | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after May 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Oregano | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after May 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after May 5. | — |
| Sage | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after May 5. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after May 5. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Cosmos | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Lavender | Feb 3 | Apr 28–May 12 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 17 | Apr 28–May 5 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Melons | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 136 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 136 available after May 12. | Jun 18 |
| Mint | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 157 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 157 available after May 5. | Jul 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 143 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 143 available after May 12. | Jun 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 164 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 28. | Jul 17 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 143 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after May 5. | Jun 28 |
| Watermelon | Apr 14 | May 5–May 12 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after May 5. | Jun 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Zinnias | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
Month by month in Bedford
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 3), Lavender (Feb 3), Onion (Feb 3), Rosemary (Feb 3), Celery (Feb 17), Collards (Feb 17), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), Sage (Mar 3), Swiss Chard (Mar 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 3), Beets (Mar 3), Dill (Mar 3), Peas (Mar 3), Radish (Mar 3), Spinach (Mar 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 31), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 31), Cabbage (Mar 31), Collards (Mar 31), Kale (Mar 31), Lettuce (Mar 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 7), Butternut Squash (Apr 14), Cantaloupe (Apr 14), Melons (Apr 14), Pumpkin (Apr 14), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 7), Potatoes (Apr 14), Sunflowers (Apr 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 14), Swiss Chard (Apr 14), Bok Choy (Apr 21), Cauliflower (Apr 21), Cosmos (Apr 28), Lavender (Apr 28), +4 more. Last frost around April 28. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 5), Pole Beans (May 5). Transplant from: Celery (May 5), Chives (May 5), Corn (May 5), Okra (May 5), Oregano (May 5), Parsley (May 5), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 10), Pumpkin (Jun 10), Cantaloupe (Jun 18), Celery (Jun 18), Melons (Jun 18), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 20), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 3), Corn (Jul 5), Sunflowers (Jul 17), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 22), Pole Beans (Jul 22), Basil (Jul 27), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 1), Okra (Aug 1), Yellow Squash (Aug 1), Zucchini (Aug 1), Cauliflower (Aug 2), Beans (Aug 3), +12 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Sep 1), Lettuce (Sep 1), Kale (Sep 5), Kohlrabi (Sep 5), Turnip (Sep 10), Arugula (Sep 20), +2 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 23). First frost around October 23. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 13). |
| December | Clean 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 Bedford, OH (ZIP 44146)?
The median last spring frost date for Bedford, OH (ZIP code 44146) is around April 28. 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 14; one in ten it runs past May 10.
What is the first fall frost date in Bedford, OH?
The median first fall frost date for Bedford, OH is around October 23. 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 October 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bedford, OH?
The frost-free growing season in Bedford is about 178 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 Bedford (178 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Bedford, OH?
Bedford, 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 Bedford, OH?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 24 and plant out May 12 in Bedford. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bedford?
Two: plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30.
When do I plant garlic in Bedford?
Oct 23 to Nov 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Maple Heights, OH 44137 (2.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Solon, OH 44139 (4.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Cleveland, OH 44125 (4.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Northfield, OH 44067 (4.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Macedonia, OH 44056 (4.9 mi)
- When to plant in OH
- When to plant Peppers in OH
- When to plant Cucumbers in OH
- When to plant Zucchini in OH
- When to plant Butternut Squash in OH
- When to plant Basil in OH
- When to plant Sweet Corn in OH
- Look up another ZIP