Frost Dates for Urbana, OH 43078
Last spring frost April 28 · First fall frost October 11 · 166 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 43078 has about 19,700 people.
Moderate season: 166 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 12–May 13 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 27–October 25 (28 days).
Frost probability for 43078
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 13 | April 28 | April 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 27 | October 11 | October 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SPRINGFIELD WTP (15.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 166-day season in Urbana
In Urbana (166 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 24 | May 12–May 19 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12. | Jun 11 |
| Pepper | Mar 17 | May 12–May 19 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12. | Jun 16 |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 7. | Aug 9 |
| Cucumber | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Peas | — | Mar 3–May 12 | 229 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 3. | Jul 31 |
| Zucchini | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Onion | Feb 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 3–Apr 21 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Kale | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 31. | Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 31. | Aug 9 |
| Radish | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Oct 18. | Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 11 | 271 | overwinter: Plant Oct 11 to Nov 1; harvest the following summer. | Nov 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 24–May 19 | 222 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 5. | Jun 23 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 14 | May 12–May 12 | 131 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 131 available after May 12. | May 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 | Apr 21–May 5 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 21. | Jul 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 215 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 31. | Jul 10 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 131 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 131 available after May 12. | May 29 |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 124 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12. | Jun 21 |
| Okra | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Basil | Mar 24 | May 19–May 19 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 19. | Jul 15 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 31–Apr 21 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Parsley | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after May 5. | Jul 26 |
| Celery | Feb 17 | May 5–May 19 | 166 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 166 available after May 5. | Jun 6 |
| Scallions | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Collards | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 124 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12. | Jun 6 |
| Chives | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Oregano | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after May 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after May 5. | — |
| Sage | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after May 5. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 5. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Cosmos | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Lavender | Feb 3 | Apr 28–May 12 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 17 | Apr 28–May 5 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 25 |
| Melons | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 124 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12. | Jun 6 |
| Mint | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 145 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 145 available after May 5. | Jul 10 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 131 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 131 available after May 12. | Jun 8 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 28. | Jul 5 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 5. | Jun 16 |
| Watermelon | Apr 14 | May 5–May 12 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 5. | Jun 11 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Zinnias | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
Month by month in Urbana
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 3), Lavender (Feb 3), Onion (Feb 3), Rosemary (Feb 3), Celery (Feb 17), Collards (Feb 17), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), Sage (Mar 3), Swiss Chard (Mar 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 3), Beets (Mar 3), Dill (Mar 3), Peas (Mar 3), Radish (Mar 3), Spinach (Mar 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 31), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 31), Cabbage (Mar 31), Collards (Mar 31), Kale (Mar 31), Lettuce (Mar 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 7), Butternut Squash (Apr 14), Cantaloupe (Apr 14), Melons (Apr 14), Pumpkin (Apr 14), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 7), Potatoes (Apr 14), Sunflowers (Apr 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 14), Swiss Chard (Apr 14), Bok Choy (Apr 21), Cauliflower (Apr 21), Cosmos (Apr 28), Lavender (Apr 28), +4 more. Last frost around April 28. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 5), Pole Beans (May 5). Transplant from: Celery (May 5), Chives (May 5), Corn (May 5), Okra (May 5), Oregano (May 5), Parsley (May 5), +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 Urbana, OH (ZIP 43078)?
The median last spring frost date for Urbana, OH (ZIP code 43078) is around April 28. 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 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Urbana, OH?
The median first fall frost date for Urbana, 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 Urbana, OH?
The frost-free growing season in Urbana is about 166 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 Urbana (166 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 Urbana, OH?
Urbana, 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 Urbana, OH?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 24 and plant out May 12 in Urbana. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Urbana?
Two: plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18.
When do I plant garlic in Urbana?
Oct 11 to Nov 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
New Carlisle (ZIP 45344) has 180 frost-free days, 14 more than Urbana (ZIP 43078). See New Carlisle ZIP 45344 frost dates
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