Frost Dates for Columbus, OH 43231
Columbus has 31 ZIP codes. The Columbus, OH frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 13 · 170 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 43231 has about 23,000 people, one of 31 ZIP codes in Columbus.
Moderate season: 170 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 14–May 9 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans September 30–October 27 (27 days).
Frost probability for 43231
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 26 | April 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 30 | October 13 | October 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLUMBUS-VALLEY CROSSING (19.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 170-day season in Columbus
In Columbus (170 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 22 | May 10–May 17 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 10. | Jun 13 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 10. | Jun 18 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 5. | Aug 11 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 233 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 1. | Aug 2 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 205 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 205 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 29. | Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 29. | Aug 11 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Oct 20. | Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 13 | 275 | overwinter: Plant Oct 13 to Nov 3; harvest the following summer. | Nov 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 226 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | Jun 25 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 10. | May 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 19. | Jul 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 29. | Jul 12 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 10. | May 31 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 10. | Jun 23 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after May 3. | Jul 28 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 170 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 170 available after May 3. | Jun 8 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 10. | Jun 8 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 10. | Jun 8 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 149 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 149 available after May 3. | Jul 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 135 available after May 10. | Jun 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 26. | Jul 7 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 3. | Jun 18 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 3. | Jun 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
Month by month in Columbus
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Onion (Feb 1), Rosemary (Feb 1), Celery (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), Sage (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 1), Beets (Mar 1), Dill (Mar 1), Peas (Mar 1), Radish (Mar 1), Spinach (Mar 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 29), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 29), Cabbage (Mar 29), Collards (Mar 29), Kale (Mar 29), Lettuce (Mar 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 5), Butternut Squash (Apr 12), Cantaloupe (Apr 12), Melons (Apr 12), Pumpkin (Apr 12), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 5), Potatoes (Apr 12), Sunflowers (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 12), Swiss Chard (Apr 12), Bok Choy (Apr 19), Cauliflower (Apr 19), Cosmos (Apr 26), Lavender (Apr 26), +4 more. Last frost around April 26. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 3), Pole Beans (May 3). Transplant from: Celery (May 3), Chives (May 3), Corn (May 3), Okra (May 3), Oregano (May 3), Parsley (May 3), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 31), Pumpkin (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 8), Celery (Jun 8), Melons (Jun 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 10), Tomato (Jun 13), Watermelon (Jun 13), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 12), Pole Beans (Jul 12), Basil (Jul 17), Cosmos (Jul 17), Cucumber (Jul 17), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 2), Cabbage (Aug 11), Carrots (Aug 11), Beets (Aug 12), Dill (Aug 12), Swiss Chard (Aug 12), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 10), Spinach (Sep 10), Radish (Sep 11). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 13). First frost around October 13. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 3). |
| 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 Columbus, OH (ZIP 43231)?
The median last spring frost date for Columbus, OH (ZIP code 43231) is around April 26. 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 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Columbus, OH?
The median first fall frost date for Columbus, OH is around October 13. 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 30 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, OH?
The frost-free growing season in Columbus is about 170 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 Columbus (170 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 Columbus, OH?
Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 in Columbus. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Columbus?
Two: plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20.
When do I plant garlic in Columbus?
Oct 13 to Nov 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Westerville, OH 43081 (3.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Columbus, OH 43230 (4.6 mi)
- Frost dates for New Albany, OH 43054 (7.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Lewis Center, OH 43035 (8 mi)
- Frost dates for Blacklick, OH 43004 (8.5 mi)
- When to plant in Columbus, 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