Frost Dates for Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Last spring frost May 6 · First fall frost September 29 · 146 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 43050 has about 31,100 people.
Moderate season: 146 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 24–May 17 (23 days). Fall frost risk spans September 15–October 13 (28 days).
Frost probability for 43050
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 17 | May 6 | April 24 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 15 | September 29 | October 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FREDERICKTOWN 4 S (5.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 146-day season in Mount Vernon
In Mount Vernon (146 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 1 | May 20–May 27 | 104 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 104 available after May 20. | May 30 |
| Pepper | Mar 25 | May 20–May 27 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 20. | Jun 4 |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 8 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 15. | Jul 28 |
| Cucumber | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 20. | Jul 3 |
| Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 13. | Jul 10 |
| Peas | — | Mar 11–May 20 | 209 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 11. | Jul 19 |
| Zucchini | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 20. | Jul 8 |
| Onion | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 181 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11–Apr 29 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 27 |
| Kale | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 8. | Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 8. | Jul 28 |
| Radish | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 29 | 251 | overwinter: Plant Sep 29 to Oct 20; harvest the following summer. | Oct 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 1–May 27 | 202 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 11 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 22 | May 20–May 20 | 111 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 111 available after May 20. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 13 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 29. | Jul 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 8. | Jun 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 111 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 111 available after May 20. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 104 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 104 available after May 20. | Jun 9 |
| Okra | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 8 |
| Basil | Apr 1 | May 27–May 27 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 27. | Jul 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 8–Apr 29 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Parsley | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after May 13. | Jul 14 |
| Celery | Feb 25 | May 13–May 27 | 146 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 146 available after May 13. | May 25 |
| Scallions | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 8 |
| Collards | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 104 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 104 available after May 20. | May 25 |
| Chives | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Oregano | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after May 13. | — |
| Sage | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after May 13. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 13. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Cosmos | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 6. | Jul 3 |
| Lavender | Feb 11 | May 6–May 20 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 25 | May 6–May 13 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 13 |
| Melons | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 104 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 104 available after May 20. | May 25 |
| Mint | — | May 6–May 20 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 125 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 125 available after May 13. | Jun 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 111 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 111 available after May 20. | May 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 6–May 20 | 132 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 132 available after May 6. | Jun 23 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 13. | Jun 4 |
| Watermelon | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 111 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 13. | May 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 20. | Jul 8 |
| Zinnias | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 6. | Jul 3 |
Month by month in Mount Vernon
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 11), Lavender (Feb 11), Onion (Feb 11), Rosemary (Feb 11), Celery (Feb 25), Collards (Feb 25), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), Sage (Mar 11), Swiss Chard (Mar 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 11), Beets (Mar 11), Dill (Mar 11), Peas (Mar 11), Radish (Mar 11), Spinach (Mar 11), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 1), Tomato (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Corn (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 8), Nasturtiums (Apr 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 8), Turnip (Apr 8), Carrots (Apr 15), Potatoes (Apr 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 8), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 8), Cabbage (Apr 8), Collards (Apr 8), Kale (Apr 8), Lettuce (Apr 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 1). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 6), Beans (May 13), Pole Beans (May 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 6), Lavender (May 6), Marigolds (May 6), Mint (May 6), Nasturtiums (May 6), Zinnias (May 6), +23 more. Last frost around May 6. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 25), Celery (May 25), Melons (May 25), Spaghetti Squash (May 27), Tomato (May 30), Watermelon (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 4), Tomatillos (Jun 4), Eggplant (Jun 9), Corn (Jun 11), Sunflowers (Jun 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 28), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 3), Cosmos (Jul 3), Cucumber (Jul 3), Zinnias (Jul 3), Broccoli (Jul 4), Nasturtiums (Jul 8), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 3), Cilantro (Aug 3), Collards (Aug 7), Scallions (Aug 7), Bok Choy (Aug 8), Lettuce (Aug 8), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 29). First frost around September 29. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 20). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| 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 Mount Vernon, OH (ZIP 43050)?
The median last spring frost date for Mount Vernon, OH (ZIP code 43050) is around May 6. 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 24; one in ten it runs past May 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Mount Vernon, OH?
The median first fall frost date for Mount Vernon, OH is around September 29. 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 15 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Mount Vernon, OH?
The frost-free growing season in Mount Vernon is about 146 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 Mount Vernon (146 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Mount Vernon, OH?
Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon, OH?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 1 and plant out May 20 in Mount Vernon. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Mount Vernon?
Two: plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6.
When do I plant garlic in Mount Vernon?
Sep 29 to Oct 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Johnstown (ZIP 43031) has 163 frost-free days, 17 more than Mount Vernon (ZIP 43050). See Johnstown ZIP 43031 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Johnstown, OH 43031 (16.9 mi)
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- Frost dates for Mount Gilead, OH 43338 (19.1 mi)
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