When to plant in Cincinnati, OH
USDA Zone 6bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Cincinnati, Ohio — all computed from Cincinnati's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 6b, Cincinnati gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Cincinnati’s own odds, recorded at CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 14 | Apr 29 | Apr 14 | Oct 2 | Oct 14 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F | May 3 | Apr 16 | Apr 2 | Oct 12 | Oct 25 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | Apr 18 | Apr 2 | Mar 19 | Oct 24 | Nov 4 | Nov 18 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Cincinnati, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Cincinnati planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Cincinnati, OH?
Plan for the last spring frost in Cincinnati around April 16 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Cincinnati, OH?
Expect Cincinnati's first fall frost near October 25 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Cincinnati in?
Cincinnati is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. In zone 6b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Cincinnati?
Cincinnati has about 192 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 16) and first fall frost (October 25).
When should I plant tomatoes in Cincinnati?
For Cincinnati, sow tomatoes indoors about February 19–March 5 and move the seedlings out around April 23, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Cincinnati
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Cincinnati’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Norwood · 5 km
- Newport · 6 km
- Fort Thomas · 8 km
- Finneytown · 8 km
- Monfort Heights · 10 km
- Reading · 11 km
- Bridgetown · 11 km
- White Oak · 12 km
Frost dates recorded at CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, 9 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Cincinnati, OH — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093812. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/ohio/cincinnati.