Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for New Albany, OH
Plan your garden around New Albany, OH's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
April 18
Safe May 5
Typical Apr 18
Risky Apr 4
First Fall Frost
October 27
Safe Oct 14
Typical Oct 27
Risky Nov 7
Growing Season
191 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a
A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.
Data: NOAA station COLUMBUS PORT COLUMBUS INTL AP, OH US, 11.7 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | May 2 – May 9 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | May 2 – May 9 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | May 2 – May 9 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Sep 1 – Sep 15 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Sep 1 – Sep 15 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 1 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Sep 15 – Sep 22 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | Aug 25 – Sep 1 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | Aug 18 – Aug 25 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 18 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 1 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Sep 15 – Sep 29 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 1 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Oct 13 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Sep 1 – Sep 15 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in New Albany, OH?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the COLUMBUS PORT COLUMBUS INTL AP, OH US station, the last spring frost in New Albany typically falls around April 18. A cautious gardener might wait until May 5 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while April 4 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in New Albany, OH in fall?
The first fall frost in New Albany typically arrives around October 27. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 14; in milder years it can hold off until November 7.
How long is the growing season in New Albany, OH?
New Albany's average frost-free growing season is about 191 days, running from the typical last spring frost (April 18) to the typical first fall frost (October 27).
What USDA hardiness zone is New Albany, OH in?
New Albany, OH is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.