Cincinnati, OH planting zone & frost dates
Cincinnati is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 16 and the first fall frost around October 25, for a growing season of about 190 days.
Planting calendar for Cincinnati
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 16) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 19 – Mar 5 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 30 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 25).
Useful for zone 6b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 2 | Apr 16 | May 3 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 5 | Oct 25 | Oct 12 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 3, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 2.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Cincinnati
- 45201 zone 6b
- 45202 zone 6b
- 45203 zone 6b
- 45204 zone 6b
- 45205 zone 6b
- 45206 zone 6b
- 45207 zone 6b
- 45208 zone 6b
- 45209 zone 6b
- 45211 zone 6b
- 45212 zone 6b
- 45213 zone 6b
- 45214 zone 6b
- 45215 zone 6b
- 45216 zone 6b
- 45217 zone 6b
- 45218 zone 6b
- 45219 zone 6b
- 45220 zone 6b
- 45221 zone 6b
- 45222 zone 6b
- 45223 zone 6b
- 45224 zone 6b
- 45225 zone 6b
- 45226 zone 6b
- 45227 zone 6b
- 45229 zone 6b
- 45230 zone 6b
- 45231 zone 6b
- 45232 zone 6b
- 45233 zone 6b
- 45234 zone 6b
- 45235 zone 6b
- 45236 zone 6b
- 45237 zone 6b
- 45238 zone 6b
- 45239 zone 6b
- 45240 zone 6b
- 45241 zone 6b
- 45242 zone 6b
- 45243 zone 6b
- 45244 zone 6b
- 45245 zone 6b
- 45246 zone 6b
- 45247 zone 6b
- 45248 zone 6b
- 45249 zone 6b
- 45250 zone 6b
- 45251 zone 6b
- 45252 zone 6b
- 45253 zone 6b
- 45254 zone 6b
- 45255 zone 6b
- 45258 zone 6b
- 45262 zone 6b
- 45263 zone 6b
- 45264 zone 6b
- 45267 zone 6b
- 45268 zone 6b
- 45269 zone 6b
- 45270 zone 6b
- 45271 zone 6b
- 45273 zone 6b
- 45274 zone 6b
- 45277 zone 6b
- 45280 zone 6b
- 45296 zone 6b
- 45298 zone 6b
- 45299 zone 6b
- 45999 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Norwood zone 6b, last frost Apr 16
- Finneytown zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
- Monfort Heights zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
- Reading zone 6b, last frost Apr 16
- White Oak zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
- Bridgetown zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
- Northbrook zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
- Mack zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
Questions
What growing zone is Cincinnati, OH?
Cincinnati is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Cincinnati?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Cincinnati is April 16. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 3.
When can I plant tomatoes in Cincinnati?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 23 – Apr 30. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Cincinnati Lunken Ap, OH (USW00093812), 8.7 km (5.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 149 m, based on 29 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.