When to plant in Willoughby, OH
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Willoughby, Ohio — all computed from Willoughby's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Willoughby, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
KIRTLAND-HOLDEN 2 · 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 Willoughby’s own odds, recorded at KIRTLAND-HOLDEN 2.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 24 | May 7 | Apr 23 | Oct 2 | Oct 17 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F | May 14 | Apr 26 | Apr 11 | Oct 15 | Oct 31 | Nov 13 |
| 28°F | Apr 30 | Apr 16 | Mar 31 | Nov 1 | Nov 10 | Nov 26 |
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 Willoughby, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 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.
Willoughby planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Willoughby, OH?
Willoughby's average last spring frost falls near April 26 — 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 Willoughby, OH?
In Willoughby, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 31 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Willoughby in?
Willoughby 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 Willoughby?
There are roughly 188 frost-free days in Willoughby (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 26 to the first fall frost near October 31.
When should I plant tomatoes in Willoughby?
In Willoughby, start tomato seeds indoors around March 1–March 15, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 3 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Willoughby
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Willoughby’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Eastlake · 2 km
- Willowick · 5 km
- Wickliffe · 6 km
- Mentor · 8 km
- Euclid · 11 km
- Richmond Heights · 12 km
- Mayfield Heights · 15 km
- Painesville · 15 km
Frost dates recorded at KIRTLAND-HOLDEN 2, 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 Willoughby, OH — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00334260. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/ohio/willoughby.