Frost Dates for Salem, OH 44460
Last spring frost May 17 · First fall frost October 3 · 139 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 44460 has about 25,100 people.
Moderate season: 139 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 1–June 1 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 18–October 17 (29 days).
Frost probability for 44460
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 1 | May 17 | May 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 18 | October 3 | October 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MILLPORT 4 NE (14.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 139-day season in Salem
In Salem (139 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 12 | May 31–Jun 7 | 97 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 97 available after May 31. | Jun 3 |
| Pepper | Apr 5 | May 31–Jun 7 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after May 31. | Jun 8 |
| Lettuce | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 12 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 26. | Aug 1 |
| Cucumber | Apr 26 | May 31–Jun 7 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 31. | Jul 7 |
| Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 24. | Jul 14 |
| Peas | — | Mar 22–May 31 | 202 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 22. | Jul 23 |
| Zucchini | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 31. | Jul 12 |
| Onion | Feb 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 174 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 22–May 10 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 31 |
| Kale | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 174 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 19. | Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 19. | Aug 1 |
| Radish | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 10. | Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Potatoes | — | May 3–May 10 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 3 | 244 | overwinter: Plant Oct 3 to Oct 24; harvest the following summer. | Oct 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 12–Jun 7 | 195 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 24. | Jun 15 |
| Pumpkin | May 3 | May 31–May 31 | 104 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 5 | May 10–May 24 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after May 10. | Jul 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 22 | May 3–May 3 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 31 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 19. | Jul 2 |
| Butternut Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | 97 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 97 available after May 31. | Jun 13 |
| Okra | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 24. | Jul 12 |
| Basil | Apr 12 | Jun 7–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 7. | Jul 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 19–May 10 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Parsley | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 24. | Jul 18 |
| Celery | Mar 8 | May 24–Jun 7 | 139 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 139 available after May 24. | May 29 |
| Scallions | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 12 |
| Collards | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Cantaloupe | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 97 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 97 available after May 31. | — |
| Chives | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Oregano | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 139 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 139 available after May 24. | — |
| Sage | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after May 24. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 24. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Cosmos | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 17. | Jul 7 |
| Lavender | Feb 22 | May 17–May 31 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 5 | May 17–May 24 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 17 |
| Melons | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 97 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 97 available after May 31. | — |
| Mint | — | May 17–May 31 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 118 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 118 available after May 24. | Jul 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 17–May 31 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after May 17. | Jun 27 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 24. | Jun 8 |
| Watermelon | May 3 | May 24–May 31 | 104 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 104 available after May 24. | Jun 3 |
| Yellow Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 31. | Jul 12 |
| Zinnias | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 17. | Jul 7 |
Month by month in Salem
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 22), Lavender (Feb 22), Onion (Feb 22), Rosemary (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 8), Collards (Mar 8), Kale (Mar 8), Oregano (Mar 8), Parsley (Mar 8), Scallions (Mar 8), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 22), Beets (Mar 22), Dill (Mar 22), Peas (Mar 22), Radish (Mar 22), Spinach (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 5), Cauliflower (Apr 5), Marigolds (Apr 5), Pepper (Apr 5), Basil (Apr 12), Tomato (Apr 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 5), Cilantro (Apr 19), Turnip (Apr 19), Carrots (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 19), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 19), Cabbage (Apr 19), Collards (Apr 19), Kale (Apr 19), Lettuce (Apr 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 12). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pumpkin (May 3), Spaghetti Squash (May 3), Watermelon (May 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 3), Sunflowers (May 17), Beans (May 24), Pole Beans (May 24). Transplant from: Calendula (May 3), Swiss Chard (May 3), Bok Choy (May 10), Cauliflower (May 10), Cosmos (May 17), Lavender (May 17), +26 more. Last frost around May 17. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 29). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 7). Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 3), Watermelon (Jun 3), Pepper (Jun 8), Tomatillos (Jun 8), Eggplant (Jun 13), Corn (Jun 15), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 2), Pole Beans (Jul 2), Basil (Jul 7), Cosmos (Jul 7), Cucumber (Jul 7), Zinnias (Jul 7), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 1), Carrots (Aug 1), Beets (Aug 2), Dill (Aug 2), Swiss Chard (Aug 2), Calendula (Aug 7), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Radish (Sep 1). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 3). First frost around October 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 24). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Salem, OH (ZIP 44460)?
The median last spring frost date for Salem, OH (ZIP code 44460) is around May 17. 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 May 1; one in ten it runs past June 1.
What is the first fall frost date in Salem, OH?
The median first fall frost date for Salem, OH is around October 3. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Salem, OH?
The frost-free growing season in Salem is about 139 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 Salem (139 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Salem, OH?
Salem, 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 Salem, OH?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 12 and plant out May 31 in Salem. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Salem?
Two: plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10.
When do I plant garlic in Salem?
Oct 3 to Oct 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Lisbon (ZIP 44432) has 169 frost-free days, 30 more than Salem (ZIP 44460). See Lisbon ZIP 44432 frost dates
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