FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Ohio

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 15 in Cleveland and as late as May 15 in Girard.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
ColumbusFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
ClevelandFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
CincinnatiFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
ToledoFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
AkronFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
DaytonFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
ParmaFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
CantonFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
YoungstownMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
LorainFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
HamiltonFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
SpringfieldFeb 28 – Mar 14May 2 – May 9
KetteringFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
ElyriaFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
LakewoodFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
Cuyahoga FallsMar 5 – Mar 19May 7 – May 14
MiddletownFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
NewarkMar 4 – Mar 18May 6 – May 13
EuclidFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
MentorMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
MansfieldMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
BeavercreekFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
DublinFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
Cleveland HeightsFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
StrongsvilleFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
FairfieldFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
FindlayFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
WarrenMar 13 – Mar 27May 15 – May 22
LancasterFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
Grove CityFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7

Showing the 30 most populous of 203 Ohio cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Ohio cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Ohio?

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 15 in Cleveland and as late as May 15 in Girard.

When is the last frost in Ohio?

The average last spring frost in Ohio ranges from April 8 in Cleveland to May 8 in Girard, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Ohio

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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