Last frost date in Cleveland, OH

Average last frost
April 8

The average last frost in Cleveland is April 8. By April 20 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 12, which leaves 217 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 20
Average first frost
Nov 12
Frost-free season
217 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 1
Next 7 nights in Cleveland

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2339°
  3. SatOct 2441°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2649°
  6. TueOct 2747°
  7. WedOct 2846°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 8First frost Nov 12217 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND217 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Cleveland Burke Airport, 2.7 miles from Cleveland.

Planting calendar for Cleveland

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Ohio.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 15–Apr 29
PumpkinsApr 22–May 6
SunflowersApr 8–Apr 29
CucumbersApr 22–Apr 29
CornApr 15–Apr 29
Sweet potatoesApr 29–May 13
WatermelonApr 22–May 6
Green beansApr 15–May 6
ZucchiniApr 15–Apr 29
OkraApr 29–May 13
PeppersApr 22–May 6
BasilApr 15–Apr 29
Butternut squashApr 15–Apr 29
CantaloupeApr 22–May 6
EggplantApr 22–May 6
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 11–Mar 25
OnionsFeb 25–Mar 18
CarrotsMar 18–Apr 22
LettuceMar 25–Apr 15
BroccoliMar 11–Mar 25
BeetsMar 11–Apr 22
PeasFeb 25–Mar 11
CabbageMar 11–Mar 25
RadishesMar 4–Apr 15
Brussels sproutsMar 25–Apr 8
SpinachFeb 25–Mar 18
CilantroMar 25–Apr 15
KaleMar 11–Mar 25
Collard greensMar 11–Mar 25
TurnipsMar 11–Mar 25
DillApr 8–Apr 22
CeleryApr 15–Apr 22
CauliflowerMar 25–Apr 8
LeeksMar 25–Apr 8
Swiss chardMar 25–Apr 22
ParsleyMar 25–Apr 15
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 29–Dec 3
GarlicOct 22–Nov 26
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 26
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 11–Mar 25
AsparagusMar 11–Mar 25

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 29Apr 8Apr 20Nov 1Nov 12Nov 28
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 16Apr 1Apr 13Nov 7Nov 22Dec 8

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Cleveland Burke Airport (USW00004853) sits 2.7 miles from the center of Cleveland at 584 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Cleveland, OH?

The average last frost date in Cleveland is April 8, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 20.

When is the first frost in Cleveland?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 12. One year in ten it arrives before November 1.

How long is the growing season in Cleveland?

About 217 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Cleveland?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 15 to April 29. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Ohio

All 87 cities in Ohio