When to plant in Lorain, OH
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Lorain, Ohio — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6b means Lorain sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
ELYRIA LORAIN CO 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 Lorain’s own odds, recorded at ELYRIA LORAIN CO AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 19 | May 5 | Apr 21 | Sep 28 | Oct 10 | Oct 26 |
| 32°F | May 10 | Apr 24 | Apr 9 | Oct 8 | Oct 24 | Nov 6 |
| 28°F | Apr 26 | Apr 11 | Mar 29 | Oct 21 | Nov 4 | Nov 19 |
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 Lorain, 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.
Lorain planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lorain, OH?
Lorain's average last spring frost falls near April 24 — 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 Lorain, OH?
Expect Lorain's first fall frost near October 24 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Lorain in?
Lorain 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 Lorain?
There are roughly 183 frost-free days in Lorain (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 Lorain?
In Lorain, 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 Lorain
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lorain’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Amherst · 6 km
- Elyria · 9 km
- Vermilion · 12 km
- North Ridgeville · 14 km
- Avon · 15 km
- Avon Lake · 15 km
- Westlake · 21 km
- Bay Village · 22 km
Frost dates recorded at ELYRIA LORAIN CO AP, 10 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 Lorain, OH — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00004849. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/ohio/lorain.