Toledo, OH planting zone & frost dates
Toledo is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 20 and the first fall frost around October 27, for a growing season of about 188 days.
Planting calendar for Toledo
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 Sep 1 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 27).
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 9 | Oct 27 | Oct 14 |
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 14. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 8.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Toledo
- 43601 zone 6b
- 43603 zone 6b
- 43604 zone 6b
- 43605 zone 6b
- 43606 zone 6b
- 43607 zone 6b
- 43608 zone 6b
- 43609 zone 6b
- 43610 zone 6b
- 43611 zone 6b
- 43612 zone 6b
- 43613 zone 6b
- 43614 zone 6b
- 43615 zone 6b
- 43617 zone 6b
- 43620 zone 6b
- 43623 zone 6b
- 43635 zone 6b
- 43652 zone 6b
- 43654 zone 6b
- 43656 zone 6b
- 43657 zone 6b
- 43659 zone 6b
- 43660 zone 6b
- 43661 zone 6b
- 43666 zone 6b
- 43667 zone 6b
- 43681 zone 6b
- 43682 zone 6b
- 43697 zone 6b
- 43699 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Oregon zone 6b, last frost Apr 20
- Perrysburg zone 6b, last frost Apr 20
- Maumee zone 6b, last frost Apr 22
- Sylvania zone 6b, last frost Apr 22
- Bowling Green zone 6b, last frost Apr 22
- Fostoria zone 6b, last frost Apr 23
- Fremont zone 6b, last frost Apr 26
- Findlay zone 6b, last frost Apr 22
Questions
What growing zone is Toledo, OH?
Toledo 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 Toledo?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Toledo is April 20. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 7.
When can I plant tomatoes in Toledo?
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 Toledo Metcalf Fld, OH (USW00004848), 13.0 km (8.1 mi) from the city center, elevation 190 m, based on 19 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.