Vegetable Planting Calendar: Columbus, Ohio

 
Columbus, Ohio is located in USDA Hardiness Zone 6. Planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important for getting the most out of your garden. Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time.
 
Ohio only has two USDA hardiness Zones, Zone 5 and Zone 6. Most of the state sits in Zone 6, but there are small groupings of Zone 5 mixed in. Zone 5 is mostly in the center of the state, as well as the northwestern and northeastern corners and in a small patch along the western border. There are several other small patches of Zone 5 in the state, but much of it resides in Zone 6. First frost dates begin as early as the beginning of October in Youngstown and as late as the end of October in Lorain. Last frost dates can be as early as mid-April in Lorain and as late as mid-May in Youngstown. Columbus’ first frost date is 10/9 and its last frost date is 4/28.
 
Use your last and first frost dates below to calculate your planting schedules.
 
Download IconLearning Download: Growing and Harvesting in Ohio

 

Columbus, Ohio: Zone 6 

Spring Last Frost Date: 4/28

Fall First Frost Date: 10/9

  Spring: Start Seeds Indoors Spring: Direct Sow/Transplant Fall: Start Seeds Indoors Fall: Direct Sow/Transplant
Artichokes 3/3 4/28    
Beans Direct Sow 4/28 Direct Sow 7/31
Beets 3/3 4/14 Direct Sow 7/31
Broccoli 3/3 4/14 6/21 7/21
Brussels Sprouts 3/3 4/14 5/12 6/11
Cabbage 2/17 3/31 6/13 7/11
Carrots Direct Sow 4/7 Direct Sow 7/15
Cauliflower 3/3 4/14 6/21 7/21
Celery 2/10 5/5 5/22 6/19
Chard 3/3 4/14 Direct Sow 8/5
Collards 2/24 3/31 6/14 7/14
Corn Direct Sow 5/5    
Cucumbers Direct Sow 4/28    
Eggplant 3/17 5/12    
Gourds Direct Sow 5/12    
Kale 2/17 3/31 Direct Sow 7/16
Kohlrabi 2/17 3/31 Direct Sow 8/10
Leek 2/3 4/14 5/17 6/21
Lettuce 2/5 3/31 7/1 7/31
Melons Direct Sow 5/12    
Okra 3/17 5/12    
Onions 1/20 3/31 6/21 7/31
Peas Direct Sow 3/3 Direct Sow 7/1
Peppers 3/3 5/5    
Pumpkins Direct Sow 5/12    
Radishes Direct Sow 3/24 Direct Sow 8/30
Spinach 2/10 3/17 7/21 8/13
Squash 4/14 5/12    
Tomatoes 3/10 5/5    
Turnips Direct Sow 3/24 Direct Sow 8/10
Watermelon 4/14 5/12    

Download as a pdf: When to Plant in Columbus, Ohio

*Planting dates are based on past weather data. There is a 10% chance that you will have a frost outside of the range above. Watch local weather for more accurate frost dates. These are the recommended vegetable planting dates. If you have any questions about the calendar dates please give us a call. Urban Farmer offers a large selection of vegetable seeds to gardeners and farmers throughout the United States.