When to plant in Lima, OH
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Lima, Ohio — all computed from Lima's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6a means Lima sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Lima is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
LIMA WWTP · 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 Lima’s own odds, recorded at LIMA WWTP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 20 | May 3 | Apr 21 | Sep 28 | Oct 13 | Oct 26 |
| 32°F | May 11 | Apr 24 | Apr 12 | Oct 10 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | Apr 29 | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | Oct 22 | Nov 3 | 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 Lima, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 26 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.
Lima planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lima, OH?
On average, the last spring frost in Lima is around April 24 (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 Lima, OH?
The first fall frost in Lima typically arrives around October 24 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Lima in?
Lima is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Lima?
There are roughly 183 frost-free days in Lima (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 24 to the first fall frost near October 24.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lima?
In Lima, start tomato seeds indoors around February 27–March 13, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 1 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lima
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lima’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at LIMA WWTP, 2 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 Lima, OH — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00334551. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/ohio/lima.