Columbus, OH planting zone & frost dates
Columbus is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 20 and the first fall frost around October 24, for a growing season of about 185 days.
Planting calendar for Columbus
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 20) 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 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 29 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 24).
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 5 | Apr 20 | May 7 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 4 | Oct 24 | Oct 13 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 7, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 13. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 8.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Columbus
- 43085 zone 6b
- 43201 zone 6b
- 43202 zone 6b
- 43203 zone 6b
- 43204 zone 6b
- 43205 zone 6b
- 43206 zone 6b
- 43207 zone 6b
- 43209 zone 6b
- 43210 zone 6b
- 43211 zone 6b
- 43212 zone 6b
- 43213 zone 6b
- 43214 zone 6b
- 43215 zone 6b
- 43216 zone 6b
- 43217 zone 6b
- 43218 zone 6b
- 43219 zone 6b
- 43220 zone 6b
- 43221 zone 6b
- 43222 zone 6b
- 43223 zone 6b
- 43224 zone 6b
- 43226 zone 6b
- 43227 zone 6b
- 43228 zone 6b
- 43229 zone 6b
- 43230 zone 6b
- 43231 zone 6b
- 43232 zone 6b
- 43234 zone 6b
- 43235 zone 6b
- 43236 zone 6b
- 43240 zone 6b
- 43251 zone 6b
- 43260 zone 6b
- 43266 zone 6b
- 43268 zone 6b
- 43270 zone 6b
- 43271 zone 6b
- 43272 zone 6b
- 43279 zone 6b
- 43287 zone 6b
- 43291 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Bexley zone 6b, last frost Apr 18
- Upper Arlington zone 6b, last frost Apr 20
- Whitehall zone 6b, last frost Apr 18
- Grove City zone 6b, last frost Apr 23
- Gahanna zone 6b, last frost Apr 18
- Worthington zone 6b, last frost Apr 22
- Hilliard zone 6b, last frost Apr 22
- Westerville zone 6b, last frost Apr 22
Questions
What growing zone is Columbus, OH?
Columbus 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 Columbus?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Columbus is April 20. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 7.
When can I plant tomatoes in Columbus?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 27 – May 4. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Columbus Wcmh, OH (USC00331785), 7.5 km (4.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 226 m, based on 10 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.