Last frost date in Lima, OH

Average last frost
April 24

Expect the last frost in Lima around April 24. Frost after May 11 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 24, which leaves 182 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 10 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 11
Average first frost
Oct 24
Frost-free season
182 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 14
Next 7 nights in Lima

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2243°
  2. FriOct 2342°
  3. SatOct 2445°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2747°
  7. WedOct 2845°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 24First frost Oct 24182 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND182 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Lima Wwtp, 1.4 miles from Lima.

Planting calendar for Lima

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
TomatoesMay 1–May 15
PumpkinsMay 8–May 22
SunflowersApr 24–May 15
CucumbersMay 8–May 15
CornMay 1–May 15
Sweet potatoesMay 15–May 29
WatermelonMay 8–May 22
Green beansMay 1–May 22
ZucchiniMay 1–May 15
OkraMay 15–May 29
PeppersMay 8–May 22
BasilMay 1–May 15
Butternut squashMay 1–May 15
CantaloupeMay 8–May 22
EggplantMay 8–May 22
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 27–Apr 10
OnionsMar 13–Apr 3
CarrotsApr 3–May 8
LettuceApr 10–May 1
BroccoliMar 27–Apr 10
BeetsMar 27–May 8
PeasMar 13–Mar 27
CabbageMar 27–Apr 10
RadishesMar 20–May 1
Brussels sproutsApr 10–Apr 24
SpinachMar 13–Apr 3
CilantroApr 10–May 1
KaleMar 27–Apr 10
Collard greensMar 27–Apr 10
TurnipsMar 27–Apr 10
DillApr 24–May 8
CeleryMay 1–May 8
CauliflowerApr 10–Apr 24
LeeksApr 10–Apr 24
Swiss chardApr 10–May 8
ParsleyApr 10–May 1
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 10–Nov 14
GarlicOct 3–Nov 7
Daffodil bulbsSep 26–Nov 7
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 27–Apr 10
AsparagusMar 27–Apr 10

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 12Apr 24May 11Oct 10Oct 24Nov 5
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 31Apr 14Apr 29Oct 22Nov 3Nov 18

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 Lima Wwtp (USC00334551) sits 1.4 miles from the center of Lima at 850 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 Lima, OH?

The average last frost date in Lima is April 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 11.

When is the first frost in Lima?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 24. One year in ten it arrives before October 10.

How long is the growing season in Lima?

About 182 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lima?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 1 to May 15. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Ohio

All 87 cities in Ohio