Cleveland, OH planting zone & frost dates
Cleveland is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 8 and the first fall frost around November 12, for a growing season of about 217 days.
Planting calendar for Cleveland
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 8) 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 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 Transplant outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 17 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 12).
Useful for zone 7a 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
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 29 | Apr 8 | Apr 20 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 28 | Nov 12 | Nov 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 20, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 1.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Cleveland
- 44101 zone 7a
- 44102 zone 7a
- 44103 zone 7a
- 44104 zone 6b
- 44105 zone 6b
- 44106 zone 6b
- 44108 zone 7a
- 44109 zone 7a
- 44110 zone 7a
- 44111 zone 7a
- 44112 zone 6b
- 44113 zone 7a
- 44114 zone 7a
- 44115 zone 7a
- 44118 zone 6b
- 44119 zone 7a
- 44120 zone 6b
- 44121 zone 6b
- 44124 zone 6a
- 44125 zone 6b
- 44126 zone 7a
- 44127 zone 7a
- 44128 zone 6b
- 44129 zone 6b
- 44130 zone 6b
- 44134 zone 6b
- 44135 zone 6b
- 44143 zone 6b
- 44144 zone 6b
- 44181 zone 6b
- 44188 zone 7a
- 44190 zone 6b
- 44191 zone 7a
- 44192 zone 7a
- 44193 zone 7a
- 44194 zone 7a
- 44195 zone 7a
- 44197 zone 7a
- 44198 zone 7a
- 44199 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Clark-Fulton zone 7a, last frost Apr 8
- Detroit-Shoreway zone 7a, last frost Apr 8
- Hough zone 7a, last frost Apr 8
- Brooklyn zone 6b, last frost Apr 8
- Glenville zone 7a, last frost Apr 8
- Parma zone 6b, last frost Apr 20
- Lakewood zone 7a, last frost Apr 20
- Seven Hills zone 6b, last frost Apr 8
Questions
What growing zone is Cleveland, OH?
Cleveland is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zones 6a, 6b.
When is the last frost in Cleveland?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Cleveland is April 8. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 20.
When can I plant tomatoes in Cleveland?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 15 – Apr 22. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Cleveland Burke Ap, OH (USW00004853), 2.2 km (1.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 178 m, based on 20 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.