Frost Dates for Lima, OH 45804
Lima has 5 ZIP codes. The Lima, OH frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 11 · 165 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 45804 has about 13,600 people, one of 5 ZIP codes in Lima.
Moderate season: 165 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 12–May 12 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans September 27–October 26 (29 days).
Frost probability for 45804
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | April 29 | April 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 27 | October 11 | October 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BELLEFONTAINE (47.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 165-day season in Lima
In Lima (165 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 25 | May 13–May 20 | 123 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | Jun 11 |
| Pepper | Mar 18 | May 13–May 20 | 123 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | Jun 16 |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 8. | Aug 9 |
| Cucumber | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4–May 13 | 228 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 4. | Jul 31 |
| Zucchini | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Onion | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 200 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4–Apr 22 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Kale | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 1. | Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 1. | Aug 9 |
| Radish | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Oct 18. | Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 11 | 270 | overwinter: Plant Oct 11 to Nov 1; harvest the following summer. | Nov 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 25–May 20 | 221 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 6. | Jun 23 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 15 | May 13–May 13 | 130 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 130 available after May 13. | May 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 | Apr 22–May 6 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 22. | Jul 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 214 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 1. | Jul 10 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 130 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 130 available after May 13. | May 29 |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 123 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | Jun 21 |
| Okra | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 20–May 20 | 130 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 20. | Jul 15 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1–Apr 22 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Parsley | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after May 6. | Jul 26 |
| Celery | Feb 18 | May 6–May 20 | 165 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 165 available after May 6. | Jun 6 |
| Scallions | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Collards | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 123 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | Jun 6 |
| Chives | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after May 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Oregano | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after May 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after May 6. | — |
| Sage | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after May 6. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after May 6. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Cosmos | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Lavender | Feb 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 6 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 25 |
| Melons | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 123 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | Jun 6 |
| Mint | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 144 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 144 available after May 6. | Jul 10 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 130 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 130 available after May 13. | Jun 8 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 151 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 29. | Jul 5 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 130 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 130 available after May 6. | Jun 16 |
| Watermelon | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 130 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 130 available after May 6. | Jun 11 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Zinnias | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
Month by month in Lima
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 4), Lavender (Feb 4), Onion (Feb 4), Rosemary (Feb 4), Celery (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), Sage (Mar 4), Swiss Chard (Mar 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 4), Beets (Mar 4), Dill (Mar 4), Peas (Mar 4), Radish (Mar 4), Spinach (Mar 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 25). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Corn (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Okra (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 1), Turnip (Apr 1), Carrots (Apr 8), Potatoes (Apr 15), Sunflowers (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 1), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 1), Cabbage (Apr 1), Collards (Apr 1), Kale (Apr 1), Lettuce (Apr 1), +12 more. Last frost around April 29. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 6), Pole Beans (May 6). Transplant from: Celery (May 6), Chives (May 6), Corn (May 6), Okra (May 6), Oregano (May 6), Parsley (May 6), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 29), Pumpkin (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 6), Celery (Jun 6), Melons (Jun 6), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 8), Tomato (Jun 11), Watermelon (Jun 11), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 5), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 10), Pole Beans (Jul 10), Basil (Jul 15), Cosmos (Jul 15), Cucumber (Jul 15), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 9), Carrots (Aug 9), Beets (Aug 10), Dill (Aug 10), Swiss Chard (Aug 10), Calendula (Aug 15), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 8), Spinach (Sep 8), Radish (Sep 9). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 11). First frost around October 11. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 1). |
| 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 Lima, OH (ZIP 45804)?
The median last spring frost date for Lima, OH (ZIP code 45804) is around April 29. 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 12; one in ten it runs past May 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Lima, OH?
The median first fall frost date for Lima, OH is around October 11. 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 27 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lima, OH?
The frost-free growing season in Lima is about 165 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 Lima (165 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Lima, OH?
Lima, OH is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Lima, OH?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in Lima. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lima?
Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18.
When do I plant garlic in Lima?
Oct 11 to Nov 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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