In Cincinnati, OH, the average last spring frost is Apr 16 and the average first fall frost is Oct 25, which leaves about 190 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Cincinnati Lunken Airport, OH weather station, at 490 feet above sea level.
A long season lets you do more than one planting: a spring crop, a second planting of quick crops in summer, and a fall garden. Succession planting works well here. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as May 3, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Oct 12.
Frost dates for Cincinnati, OH
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Apr 2 | Nov 5 | 217 days |
| Average (half of years) | Apr 16 | Oct 25 | 190 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | May 3 | Oct 12 | 162 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in Cincinnati, OH
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 19 to Mar 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | – |
| Peppers | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | Apr 30 to May 7 | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | Apr 30 to May 7 | – |
| Onions | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | – |
| Parsley | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | Apr 16 to Apr 23 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Feb 19 to Mar 5 | Apr 2 to Apr 9 | Aug 2 to Aug 30 |
| Basil | Mar 5 to Mar 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 to Mar 19 | Aug 2 to Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 to Mar 19 | Aug 30 to Sep 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 to Mar 19 | Aug 30 to Sep 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 30 to Sep 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 2 to Aug 30 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 2 to Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 2 to Aug 30 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Aug 30 to Sep 27 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 to Apr 23 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Jul 22 to Aug 5 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Jul 12 to Jul 26 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Jul 22 to Aug 5 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 to May 14 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 to May 14 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
The National Weather Service forecast shows frost risk on: Sun 15 night (35°F), Mon 16 night (30°F), Tue 17 night (32°F), Wed 18 night (35°F). Cover tender plants before dark on those nights.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 night | 39°F | No frost expected |
| Sun 15 night | 35°F | Frost possible |
| Mon 16 night | 30°F | Freeze |
| Tue 17 night | 32°F | Freeze |
| Wed 18 night | 35°F | Frost possible |
| Thu 19 night | 42°F | No frost expected |
| Fri 20 night | 43°F | No frost expected |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for Cincinnati, OH
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cincinnati, OH?
The average last spring frost is Apr 16. A late frost as far out as May 3 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in Cincinnati, OH?
The average first fall frost is Oct 25. It can arrive as early as Oct 12 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Cincinnati, OH?
The average freeze-free season is about 190 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the Cincinnati Lunken Airport, OH station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.