When to plant in Dover, OH
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Dover, Ohio — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6b means Dover sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
NEW PHILADELPHIA · 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 Dover’s own odds, recorded at NEW PHILADELPHIA.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 26 | May 10 | Apr 27 | Sep 24 | Oct 5 | Oct 17 |
| 32°F | May 17 | Apr 30 | Apr 18 | Oct 2 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
| 28°F | May 6 | Apr 21 | Apr 7 | Oct 11 | Oct 25 | Nov 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 Dover, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 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.
Dover planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Dover, OH?
On average, the last spring frost in Dover is around April 30 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Dover, OH?
In Dover, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 15 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Dover in?
Dover 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 Dover?
There are roughly 168 frost-free days in Dover (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 30 to the first fall frost near October 15.
When should I plant tomatoes in Dover?
In Dover, start tomato seeds indoors around March 5–March 19, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Dover
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Dover’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- New Philadelphia · 6 km
- Massillon · 29 km
- Canton · 32 km
- North Canton · 39 km
- Coshocton · 43 km
- Green · 47 km
- New Franklin · 48 km
- Wooster · 50 km
Frost dates recorded at NEW PHILADELPHIA, 6 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 Dover, OH — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00335894. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/ohio/dover.