Last frost date in Wooster, OH

Average last frost
April 30

Expect the last frost in Wooster around April 30. Frost after May 18 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 12, which leaves 163 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 29 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 18
Average first frost
Oct 12
Frost-free season
163 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 20
Next 7 nights in Wooster

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 35°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2240°
  2. FriOct 2335°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2437°
  4. SunOct 2541°
  5. MonOct 2645°
  6. TueOct 2745°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 30First frost Oct 12163 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND163 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Wooster Experiment Station, 2.6 miles from Wooster.

Planting calendar for Wooster

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 7–May 21
PumpkinsMay 14–May 28
SunflowersApr 30–May 21
CucumbersMay 14–May 21
CornMay 7–May 21
Sweet potatoesMay 21–Jun 4
WatermelonMay 14–May 28
Green beansMay 7–May 28
ZucchiniMay 7–May 21
OkraMay 21–Jun 4
PeppersMay 14–May 28
BasilMay 7–May 21
Butternut squashMay 7–May 21
CantaloupeMay 14–May 28
EggplantMay 14–May 28
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 2–Apr 16
OnionsMar 19–Apr 9
CarrotsApr 9–May 14
LettuceApr 16–May 7
BroccoliApr 2–Apr 16
BeetsApr 2–May 14
PeasMar 19–Apr 2
CabbageApr 2–Apr 16
RadishesMar 26–May 7
Brussels sproutsApr 16–Apr 30
SpinachMar 19–Apr 9
CilantroApr 16–May 7
KaleApr 2–Apr 16
Collard greensApr 2–Apr 16
TurnipsApr 2–Apr 16
DillApr 30–May 14
CeleryMay 7–May 14
CauliflowerApr 16–Apr 30
LeeksApr 16–Apr 30
Swiss chardApr 16–May 14
ParsleyApr 16–May 7
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 28–Nov 2
GarlicSep 21–Oct 26
Daffodil bulbsSep 14–Oct 26
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 2–Apr 16
AsparagusApr 2–Apr 16

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 17Apr 30May 18Sep 29Oct 12Oct 26
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 5Apr 20May 5Oct 9Oct 24Nov 9

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 Wooster Experiment Station (USC00339312) sits 2.6 miles from the center of Wooster at 1,020 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 Wooster, OH?

The average last frost date in Wooster is April 30, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 18.

When is the first frost in Wooster?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 12. One year in ten it arrives before September 29.

How long is the growing season in Wooster?

About 163 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Wooster?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 7 to May 21. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Ohio

All 87 cities in Ohio