When to plant in Cleveland, OH
USDA Zone 7aCleveland, Ohio frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Cleveland, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
CLEVELAND BURKE 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 Cleveland’s own odds, recorded at CLEVELAND BURKE AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 1 | Apr 20 | Apr 8 | Oct 21 | Nov 3 | Nov 14 |
| 32°F | Apr 20 | Apr 8 | Mar 29 | Nov 1 | Nov 12 | Nov 28 |
| 28°F | Apr 13 | Apr 1 | Mar 16 | Nov 7 | Nov 22 | Dec 8 |
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 Cleveland, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 33 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.
Cleveland planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Cleveland, OH?
Cleveland's average last spring frost falls near April 8 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Cleveland, OH?
The first fall frost in Cleveland typically arrives around November 12 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Cleveland in?
Cleveland is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Cleveland?
There are roughly 218 frost-free days in Cleveland (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around April 8 to the first fall frost near November 12.
When should I plant tomatoes in Cleveland?
In Cleveland, start tomato seeds indoors around February 11–February 25, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 15 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Cleveland
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Cleveland’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Brooklyn · 8 km
- Garfield Heights · 9 km
- Lakewood · 10 km
- East Cleveland · 10 km
- Cleveland Heights · 10 km
- Shaker Heights · 11 km
- Seven Hills · 11 km
- Parma · 11 km
Frost dates recorded at CLEVELAND BURKE AP, 4 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 Cleveland, OH — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00004853. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/ohio/cleveland.