Skip to content

Frost dates for Cincinnati, Ohio

In a typical year, Cincinnati’s last spring frost lands around Apr 17 and the first fall frost around Oct 26, a growing season of about 192 days. These are odds drawn from 30-year NOAA climate normals, not a promise. USDA zone 6b.

Right now the growing season is open, with about 1 day until the typical first fall frost.

Last spring frost and first fall frost odds for Cincinnati, Ohio
OddsLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10 percentApr 2Oct 11
50 percentApr 17Oct 26
90 percentMay 5Nov 7

A 10 percent year is an early year, a 90 percent year a late one. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the 90 percent side of the last-frost band.

Soil in Cincinnati is typically around 54°F at 4 inches this time of year, estimated from the last two weeks of normal air temperatures.

See what is plantable in your ZIP with the what-to-plant lookup.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Cincinnati, Ohio?

Cincinnati’s last spring frost falls around April 17 in a typical year. One year in ten it is done by April 2, and one year in ten frost holds on until May 5. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the late side of that band.

When is the first fall frost in Cincinnati?

The first fall frost arrives around October 26 in a typical year, as early as October 11 in an early year and as late as November 7 in a late one.

How long is the growing season in Cincinnati?

About 192 days, counted between the typical last spring frost and the typical first fall frost.

What USDA zone is Cincinnati in?

Cincinnati is in USDA hardiness zone 6b under the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Dates come from 30-year NOAA climate normals for the nearest reporting station. They describe odds, not a forecast.

Nearby cities

Row & Bed is a plant reference built around your garden: your zone, your frost dates, your forecast, and a cited page for every variety in your beds.

Set up your garden