Frost Dates for Cincinnati, OH 45220
Cincinnati has 46 ZIP codes. The Cincinnati, OH frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 19 · First fall frost October 17 · 181 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 45220 has about 14,100 people, one of 46 ZIP codes in Cincinnati.
Long season: 181 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 4–May 3 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–October 30 (25 days).
Frost probability for 45220
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 3 | April 19 | April 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 17 | October 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CHEVIOT (8.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 181-day season in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati (181 frost-free days, a long 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 15 | May 3–May 10 | 139 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 139 available after May 3. | Jun 17 |
| Pepper | Mar 8 | May 3–May 10 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 3. | Jun 22 |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 223 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 29. | Aug 15 |
| Cucumber | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Peas | — | Feb 22–May 3 | 244 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 244 available after Feb 22. | Aug 6 |
| Zucchini | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Onion | Jan 25 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 216 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 22–Apr 12 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 216 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 22. | Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 22. | Aug 15 |
| Radish | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Oct 24. | Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 17 | 286 | overwinter: Plant Oct 17 to Nov 7; harvest the following summer. | Nov 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 15–May 10 | 237 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 26. | Jun 29 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 5 | May 3–May 3 | 146 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 146 available after May 3. | Jun 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 12. | Jul 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 5 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 230 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 22. | Jul 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 146 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 146 available after May 3. | Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 3. | Jun 27 |
| Okra | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Basil | Mar 15 | May 10–May 10 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 22–Apr 12 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Parsley | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 26. | Aug 1 |
| Celery | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 10 | 181 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 26. | Jun 12 |
| Scallions | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Collards | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 139 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 139 available after May 3. | Jun 12 |
| Chives | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 195 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Oregano | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Sage | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 195 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Cosmos | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Lavender | Jan 25 | Apr 19–May 3 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Melons | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 139 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 139 available after May 3. | Jun 12 |
| Mint | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 160 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 26. | Jul 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 3. | Jun 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 19. | Jul 11 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 26. | Jun 22 |
| Watermelon | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 26. | Jun 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Zinnias | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
Month by month in Cincinnati
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 25), Lavender (Jan 25), Onion (Jan 25), Rosemary (Jan 25). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 8), Collards (Feb 8), Kale (Feb 8), Oregano (Feb 8), Parsley (Feb 8), Scallions (Feb 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 22), Beets (Feb 22), Dill (Feb 22), Peas (Feb 22), Radish (Feb 22), Spinach (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 1), Calendula (Mar 8), Cauliflower (Mar 8), Marigolds (Mar 8), Pepper (Mar 8), Basil (Mar 15), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 8), Cilantro (Mar 22), Turnip (Mar 22), Carrots (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 22), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 22), Cabbage (Mar 22), Collards (Mar 22), Kale (Mar 22), Lettuce (Mar 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 15). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 5), Cantaloupe (Apr 5), Melons (Apr 5), Pumpkin (Apr 5), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 5), Watermelon (Apr 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 5), Sunflowers (Apr 19), Beans (Apr 26), Pole Beans (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 5), Swiss Chard (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Cauliflower (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 19), Lavender (Apr 19), +15 more. Last frost around April 19. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Cucumber (May 3), Eggplant (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pepper (May 3), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 4), Pumpkin (Jun 4), Cantaloupe (Jun 12), Celery (Jun 12), Melons (Jun 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 14), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 16), Pole Beans (Jul 16), Basil (Jul 21), Cosmos (Jul 21), Cucumber (Jul 21), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Aug 1), Peas (Aug 6), Cabbage (Aug 15), Carrots (Aug 15), Beets (Aug 16), Dill (Aug 16), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 4), Arugula (Sep 14), Spinach (Sep 14), Radish (Sep 15). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 17). First frost around October 17. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 7). |
| 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 Cincinnati, OH (ZIP 45220)?
The median last spring frost date for Cincinnati, OH (ZIP code 45220) is around April 19. 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 4; one in ten it runs past May 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Cincinnati, OH?
The median first fall frost date for Cincinnati, OH is around October 17. 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 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Cincinnati, OH?
The frost-free growing season in Cincinnati is about 181 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 Cincinnati (181 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Cincinnati, OH?
Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, OH?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 15 and plant out May 3 in Cincinnati. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Cincinnati?
Two: plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.
When do I plant garlic in Cincinnati?
Oct 17 to Nov 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Cincinnati?
Yes: plant out May 3 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 17 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Cincinnati, OH 45207 (2.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Cincinnati, OH 45238 (5.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Covington, KY 41011 (5.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Newport, KY 41071 (5.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Fort Thomas, KY 41075 (6 mi)
- When to plant in Cincinnati, OH: month-by-month guide
- 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