Frost Dates for Independence, OH 44131
Last spring frost April 30 · First fall frost October 23 · 176 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 44131 has about 20,600 people.
Moderate season: 176 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 14–May 12 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans October 8–November 7 (30 days).
Frost probability for 44131
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | April 30 | April 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 8 | October 23 | November 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CLEVELAND-HOPKINS INTL AP (16.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 176-day season in Independence
In Independence (176 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 26 | May 14–May 21 | 134 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 134 available after May 14. | Jun 23 |
| Pepper | Mar 19 | May 14–May 21 | 134 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after May 14. | Jun 28 |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 9. | Aug 21 |
| Cucumber | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Peas | — | Mar 5–May 14 | 239 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 5. | Aug 12 |
| Zucchini | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Onion | Feb 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 211 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 5–Apr 23 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 2. | Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 225 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 2. | Aug 21 |
| Radish | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 21 |
| Beets | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 23 | 281 | overwinter: Plant Oct 23 to Nov 13; harvest the following summer. | Nov 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 26–May 21 | 232 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 148 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after May 7. | Jul 5 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 16 | May 14–May 14 | 141 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 141 available after May 14. | Jun 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 | Apr 23–May 7 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 23. | Aug 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 225 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 2. | Jul 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 141 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 141 available after May 14. | Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 134 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 134 available after May 14. | Jul 3 |
| Okra | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Basil | Mar 26 | May 21–May 21 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 2–Apr 23 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Parsley | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7. | Aug 7 |
| Celery | Feb 19 | May 7–May 21 | 176 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7. | Jun 18 |
| Scallions | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 2 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Collards | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 134 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 134 available after May 14. | Jun 18 |
| Chives | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after May 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Oregano | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after May 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7. | — |
| Sage | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after May 7. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after May 7. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Cosmos | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Lavender | Feb 5 | Apr 30–May 14 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 7 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Melons | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 134 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 134 available after May 14. | Jun 18 |
| Mint | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 155 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 155 available after May 7. | Jul 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 141 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 14. | Jun 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 30. | Jul 17 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 7. | Jun 28 |
| Watermelon | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 141 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 141 available after May 7. | Jun 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Zinnias | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
Month by month in Independence
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 5), Lavender (Feb 5), Onion (Feb 5), Rosemary (Feb 5), Celery (Feb 19), Collards (Feb 19), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), Sage (Mar 5), Swiss Chard (Mar 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 5), Beets (Mar 5), Dill (Mar 5), Peas (Mar 5), Radish (Mar 5), Spinach (Mar 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 26). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 2), Turnip (Apr 2), Carrots (Apr 9), Potatoes (Apr 16), Sunflowers (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 2), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 2), Cabbage (Apr 2), Collards (Apr 2), Kale (Apr 2), Lettuce (Apr 2), +12 more. Last frost around April 30. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 7), Pole Beans (May 7). Transplant from: Celery (May 7), Chives (May 7), Corn (May 7), Okra (May 7), Oregano (May 7), Parsley (May 7), +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 Independence, OH (ZIP 44131)?
The median last spring frost date for Independence, OH (ZIP code 44131) is around April 30. 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 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Independence, OH?
The median first fall frost date for Independence, 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 Independence, OH?
The frost-free growing season in Independence is about 176 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 Independence (176 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 Independence, OH?
Independence, 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 Independence, OH?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 26 and plant out May 14 in Independence. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Independence?
Two: plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30.
When do I plant garlic in Independence?
Oct 23 to Nov 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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