Frost Dates for Shelby, OH 44875

Last spring frost May 4 · First fall frost October 7 · 156 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a

ZIP 44875 has about 14,100 people.

Moderate season: 156 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 19–May 19 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans September 22–October 22 (30 days).

Frost probability for 44875

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 19May 4April 19
Fall (first frost)September 22October 7October 22

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ASHLAND 2 SW (25.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 156-day season in Shelby

In Shelby (156 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 30May 18–May 25114fits: 80 days to maturity, 114 available after May 18.Jun 7
PepperMar 23May 18–May 25114fits: 75 days to maturity, 114 available after May 18.Jun 12
LettuceMar 9Apr 6–Apr 13191two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14.Aug 16
Carrots—Apr 13–Apr 20198fits: 70 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 13.Aug 5
CucumberApr 13May 18–May 25128fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 18.Jul 11
Beans—May 11–May 25142two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30.Jul 18
Peas—Mar 9–May 18219fits: 65 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 9.Jul 27
ZucchiniApr 20May 18–May 25128two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23.Jul 16
OnionFeb 9Apr 6–Apr 20191fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 6.—
Spinach—Mar 9–Apr 27233two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28.Sep 4
KaleFeb 23Apr 6–Apr 20205two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28.Aug 20
BroccoliMar 9Apr 6–Apr 20191fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 6.Jul 12
CabbageMar 9Apr 6–Apr 20205fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 6.Aug 5
Radish—Mar 9–Jun 1219two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 14.Sep 5
Beets—Mar 9–Jun 1219two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14.Aug 6
Potatoes—Apr 20–Apr 27177fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 20.—
Garlic—Oct 7261overwinter: Plant Oct 7 to Oct 28; harvest the following summer.Oct 28
Strawberry—Mar 30–May 25212perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 6May 11–May 18128fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 11.Jun 19
PumpkinApr 20May 18–May 18121fits: 100 days to maturity, 121 available after May 18.May 25
CauliflowerMar 23Apr 27–May 11170fits: 75 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 27.Jul 17
Swiss ChardMar 9Apr 20–Apr 20177two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14.Aug 6
Arugula—Mar 9–Jun 1233two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28.Sep 4
Brussel SproutsMar 9Apr 6–Apr 20205fits: 100 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 6.Jul 6
Butternut SquashApr 20May 18–May 25121fits: 100 days to maturity, 121 available after May 18.May 25
EggplantMar 16May 18–May 25114fits: 70 days to maturity, 114 available after May 18.Jun 17
OkraApr 6May 11–May 18135two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23.Jul 16
BasilMar 30May 25–May 25121fits: 60 days to maturity, 121 available after May 25.Jul 11
Cilantro—Apr 6–Apr 27191two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14.Aug 11
ParsleyFeb 23May 11–May 18156fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after May 11.Jul 22
CeleryFeb 23May 11–May 25156fits: 120 days to maturity, 156 available after May 11.Jun 2
ScallionsFeb 23Apr 6–Apr 20205two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28.Aug 15
Turnip—Apr 6–Apr 20205two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28.Aug 25
Kohlrabi—Mar 23–Apr 6219two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28.Aug 20
Bok ChoyApr 6Apr 27–May 4170two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14.Aug 16
CollardsFeb 23Apr 6–Apr 20205two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28.Aug 15
CantaloupeApr 20May 18–May 25114fits: 85 days to maturity, 114 available after May 18.Jun 2
ChivesFeb 9May 11–May 18170fits: 90 days to maturity, 170 available after May 11.—
Dill—Mar 9–Jun 1219two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14.Aug 6
OreganoFeb 23May 11–May 18170fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after May 11.—
RosemaryFeb 9May 11–May 18156fits: 80 days to maturity, 156 available after May 11.—
SageMar 9May 11–May 18170fits: 75 days to maturity, 170 available after May 11.—
ThymeFeb 23May 11–May 18170fits: 90 days to maturity, 170 available after May 11.—
CalendulaMar 23Apr 20–May 4177two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14.Aug 11
CosmosApr 6May 4–May 18142two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23.Jul 11
LavenderFeb 9May 4–May 18177fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 4.—
MarigoldsMar 23May 4–May 11142two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23.Jul 21
MelonsApr 20May 18–May 25114fits: 85 days to maturity, 114 available after May 18.Jun 2
Mint—May 4–May 18177fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 4.—
NasturtiumsApr 6May 4–May 11142two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23.Jul 16
Pole Beans—May 11–May 25135fits: 65 days to maturity, 135 available after May 11.Jul 6
Spaghetti SquashApr 20May 18–May 25121fits: 90 days to maturity, 121 available after May 18.Jun 4
Sunflowers—May 4–May 18142fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after May 4.Jul 1
TomatillosMar 9May 11–May 18121fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after May 11.Jun 12
WatermelonApr 20May 11–May 18121fits: 80 days to maturity, 121 available after May 11.Jun 7
Yellow SquashApr 20May 18–May 25128two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23.Jul 16
ZinniasApr 6May 4–May 18142two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23.Jul 11

Month by month in Shelby

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 9), Lavender (Feb 9), Onion (Feb 9), Rosemary (Feb 9), Celery (Feb 23), Collards (Feb 23), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 9), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 9), Cabbage (Mar 9), Lettuce (Mar 9), Sage (Mar 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 9), Beets (Mar 9), Dill (Mar 9), Peas (Mar 9), Radish (Mar 9), Spinach (Mar 9), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 30).
AprilStart indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 6), Nasturtiums (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Zinnias (Apr 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 6), Turnip (Apr 6), Carrots (Apr 13), Potatoes (Apr 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 6), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 6), Cabbage (Apr 6), Collards (Apr 6), Kale (Apr 6), Lettuce (Apr 6), +6 more.
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 4), Beans (May 11), Pole Beans (May 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 4), Lavender (May 4), Marigolds (May 4), Mint (May 4), Nasturtiums (May 4), Zinnias (May 4), +23 more. Last frost around May 4. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 25), Pumpkin (May 25).
JuneLast sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Celery (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 4), Tomato (Jun 7), Watermelon (Jun 7), +4 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 6), Pole Beans (Jul 6), Basil (Jul 11), Cosmos (Jul 11), Cucumber (Jul 11), +11 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 5), Carrots (Aug 5), Beets (Aug 6), Dill (Aug 6), Swiss Chard (Aug 6), Calendula (Aug 11), +8 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 4), Spinach (Sep 4), Radish (Sep 5).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 7). First frost around October 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 28).
NovemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.
DecemberClean 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 Shelby, OH (ZIP 44875)?

The median last spring frost date for Shelby, OH (ZIP code 44875) is around May 4. 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 19; one in ten it runs past May 19.

What is the first fall frost date in Shelby, OH?

The median first fall frost date for Shelby, OH is around October 7. 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 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Shelby, OH?

The frost-free growing season in Shelby is about 156 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 Shelby (156 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Shelby, OH?

Shelby, 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 Shelby, OH?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 30 and plant out May 18 in Shelby. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Shelby?

Two: plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14.

When do I plant garlic in Shelby?

Oct 7 to Oct 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Willard (ZIP 44890) has 173 frost-free days, 17 more than Shelby (ZIP 44875). See Willard ZIP 44890 frost dates

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