When to plant in Reading, OH
USDA Zone 6bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Reading, Ohio — all computed from Reading's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6b means Reading sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
MILFORD · 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 Reading’s own odds, recorded at MILFORD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 16 | May 2 | Apr 19 | Sep 29 | Oct 9 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 8 | Apr 23 | Apr 9 | Oct 6 | Oct 18 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F | Apr 28 | Apr 11 | Mar 31 | Oct 16 | Oct 27 | Nov 9 |
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 Reading, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 17 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.
Reading planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Reading, OH?
Reading's average last spring frost falls near April 23 — 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 Reading, OH?
Expect Reading's first fall frost near October 18 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Reading in?
Reading 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 Reading?
There are roughly 178 frost-free days in Reading (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 23 to the first fall frost near October 18.
When should I plant tomatoes in Reading?
In Reading, start tomato seeds indoors around February 26–March 12, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 30 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Reading
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Reading’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Blue Ash · 5 km
- Sharonville · 7 km
- Finneytown · 7 km
- Norwood · 7 km
- Montgomery · 8 km
- Springdale · 8 km
- Forest Park · 11 km
- Cincinnati · 11 km
Frost dates recorded at MILFORD, 14 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 Reading, OH — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00335268. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/ohio/reading.