Frost Dates for Portsmouth, OH 45662
Last spring frost May 2 · First fall frost October 12 · 163 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 45662 has about 26,900 people.
Moderate season: 163 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 18 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans September 28–October 25 (27 days).
Frost probability for 45662
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 18 | May 2 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 28 | October 12 | October 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at JACKSON 3 NW (37.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 163-day season in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth (163 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 28 | May 16–May 23 | 121 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16. | Jun 12 |
| Pepper | Mar 21 | May 16–May 23 | 121 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16. | Jun 17 |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 11. | Aug 10 |
| Cucumber | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Peas | — | Mar 7–May 16 | 226 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 7. | Aug 1 |
| Zucchini | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Onion | Feb 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 198 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 7–Apr 25 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 4. | Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 4. | Aug 10 |
| Radish | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Oct 19. | Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 12 | 268 | overwinter: Plant Oct 12 to Nov 2; harvest the following summer. | Nov 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 28–May 23 | 219 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | Jun 24 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 18 | May 16–May 16 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16. | May 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 9 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 25. | Jul 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 4. | Jul 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16. | May 30 |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 121 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16. | Jun 22 |
| Okra | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Basil | Mar 28 | May 23–May 23 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 23. | Jul 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 4–Apr 25 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Parsley | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after May 9. | Jul 27 |
| Celery | Feb 21 | May 9–May 23 | 163 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 163 available after May 9. | Jun 7 |
| Scallions | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Collards | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 121 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16. | Jun 7 |
| Chives | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Oregano | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after May 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 163 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 163 available after May 9. | — |
| Sage | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after May 9. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 9. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Cosmos | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Lavender | Feb 7 | May 2–May 16 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 21 | May 2–May 9 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Melons | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 121 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16. | Jun 7 |
| Mint | — | May 2–May 16 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 142 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 142 available after May 9. | Jul 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 128 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16. | Jun 9 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 2–May 16 | 149 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 149 available after May 2. | Jul 6 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jun 17 |
| Watermelon | Apr 18 | May 9–May 16 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jun 12 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Zinnias | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
Month by month in Portsmouth
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 7), Lavender (Feb 7), Onion (Feb 7), Rosemary (Feb 7), Celery (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), Sage (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 7), Beets (Mar 7), Dill (Mar 7), Peas (Mar 7), Radish (Mar 7), Spinach (Mar 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 28). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 4), Turnip (Apr 4), Carrots (Apr 11), Potatoes (Apr 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 2), Beans (May 9), Pole Beans (May 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 2), Lavender (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Mint (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +23 more. Last frost around May 2. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 30), Pumpkin (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 7), Celery (Jun 7), Melons (Jun 7), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 9), Tomato (Jun 12), Watermelon (Jun 12), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 11), Pole Beans (Jul 11), Basil (Jul 16), Cosmos (Jul 16), Cucumber (Jul 16), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 1), Cabbage (Aug 10), Carrots (Aug 10), Beets (Aug 11), Dill (Aug 11), Swiss Chard (Aug 11), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 9), Spinach (Sep 9), Radish (Sep 10). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 12). First frost around October 12. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 2). |
| 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 Portsmouth, OH (ZIP 45662)?
The median last spring frost date for Portsmouth, OH (ZIP code 45662) is around May 2. 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Portsmouth, OH?
The median first fall frost date for Portsmouth, OH is around October 12. 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 28 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Portsmouth, OH?
The frost-free growing season in Portsmouth is about 163 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 Portsmouth (163 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 Portsmouth, OH?
Portsmouth, OH is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Portsmouth, OH?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 28 and plant out May 16 in Portsmouth. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Portsmouth?
Two: plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19.
When do I plant garlic in Portsmouth?
Oct 12 to Nov 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Ironton (ZIP 45638) has 184 frost-free days, 21 more than Portsmouth (ZIP 45662). See Ironton ZIP 45638 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Wheelersburg, OH 45694 (7.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Lucasville, OH 45648 (10.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Ironton, OH 45638 (20.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Jackson, OH 45640 (21.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Waverly, OH 45690 (24.1 mi)
- 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