when should i plant my garden in ohio

by Verner Brekke Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Climate Timing. Determining the best time to plant is based on the last and first frost. Some plants are able to be planted before the last spring frost, while others need to wait until weeks after. You can start many hardy vegetable seeds indoors right now and plant them outside as early as April.

What can I plant in Ohio right now?

Mid to Late May: Plant warm-weather vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, melons, and pumpkins). Seeds such as carrots, lettuce, corn, beans, etc. can be sown this month. Annual flowers, herbs & tender bulbs are ready to be planted now.

When should you plant tomatoes in Ohio?

May 20

Tomatoes are warm-season plants and should be planted only after danger of frost has passed unless you are prepared to protect them in the event of a frost. Typically, that date for central Ohio is May 20.Jan 26, 2017

When should I plant my garden in Ohio 2021?

Plant anywhere between 6 to 8 weeks BEFORE the last frost. In southwest Ohio (Zone 6), the last frost date is May 15th. This means you should start your seeds indoors between March 30 and April 30th.Feb 26, 2021

What month should I plant my vegetable garden?

Generally March and April, when the soil begins to warm, are the best months to begin sowing many hardy annual vegetable seeds outdoors including broccoli, cabbage, chard, carrots, peas and parsnips.Mar 6, 2022

What can I plant in April in Ohio?

You can start many hardy vegetable seeds indoors right now and plant them outside as early as April. Vegetables such as spinach, peas, kale, and carrots are good choices for an early spring garden. You should wait to plant tomatoes, melons, and peppers outside until late May or June.

What growing zone is Ohio?

There are only two Ohio growing zones and they fall between 5b and 6b. You can quickly find your growing zone using Gilmour's Interactive Planting Zone Map. Growing zones are also known as planting zones, and they help gardeners decide what flowers, plants or vegetables to plant.

When should I start my garden seeds?

When to Start Seeds

As a general rule, seeds need to be started four to six weeks before the date of the last frost. Seed starting times are calculated by taking the date of the last frost and subtracting the days until transplant.Apr 12, 2022

When should Cucumbers be planted?

Cucumber plants should be seeded outdoors or transplanted outside in the ground no earlier than 2 weeks after the last frost date. Cucumbers are extremely susceptible to frost and cold damage; the soil must be at least 70ºF (21ºC) for germination. Seedlings set best at that temperature, too.

When should I plant carrots in Ohio?

Carrots can be planted in Ohio any time from April through July. Success is always determined in the first three or four weeks of growth, but once they are established and mulched, they need little care.

When should I start planting tomatoes?

How to Plant and Care for Tomatoes. Tomatoes run on warmth; plant in late spring and early summer except in zone 10, where they are a fall and winter crop. For a head start on growing, plant starter plants instead of seeds.

When can I plant vegetables in Ohio?

Ohioans enjoy a reasonably long vegetable-gardening season, starting as early as March and stretching on through late November.

What do you plant in April?

Plant seeds of cool-season vegetables directly in the garden as soon as the soil dries enough to be worked. You can direct-sow these crops: peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips, and Swiss chard. Don't forget to prep your soil before you sow your seeds or set out transplants!Apr 9, 2022

What zone is Ohio in for planting seeds?

Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time. Ohio is in the 5 and 6 USDA plant hardiness zones.

How many days between the last frost and the first frost in Ohio?

Watch your local weather for more accurate dates. Ohio on average has approximately 170 days between the last and first frost. Using the planting schedules below will help you get the most out of your garden.

What are the best fruits to grow in Ohio?

Keep the soil moist and remember, this plant loves full sun. Another easy to grow fruit in Ohio are blackberries and raspberries, which can come in all kinds of varieties. Raspberries can be found in red, yellow, purple, or black, and blackberries come in either thornless or with thorns.

Can you plant too soon in a frost zone?

Depending on where you live, your hardiness zone will give you a good idea when the last threat of frost will be in your area. Planting too soon can result in a ruined garden, as later hard frosts can do some serious damage to young and emerging plants.

When should I plant cole lettuce?

Consider waiting to plant cole crops such as lettuce, cabbage, and broccoli until late June all the way through September. Many of your favorite summer vegetables have a long growing season--meaning they need the long, warm days of summer to fully ripen, giving you the best crop possible.

What is the lowest temperature in Ohio?

Most of Ohio resides in the USDA hardiness zone 6a, which means that the lowest temperatures the state faces each winter on average are between minus 5 and minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Understanding Ohio Hardiness Zones

Hardiness zones, sometimes referred to as “growing zones” or “planting zones”, were created by the USDA to help gardeners determine which plants are best suited for a particular location.

Spring Gardening in Ohio

During the spring in Ohio zone 6, try planting short season produce in March that prefer cold weather, such as romaine lettuce, green peas, and broccoli.

Fall Gardening in Ohio

Want to keep gardening in Ohio zone 6 even as the weather cools? You might be surprised by your options!

Still not sure what to plant in Ohio?

See our full list of growing guides for cold weather vegetables and warm weather vegetables for more inspiration.

When to Plant Potatoes in Ohio

As you may have already guessed, you need to pay very close attention to your local weather in the spring. Specifically, you are going to need to watch when the last frost occurs.

When Should You Start Your Potatoes Seeds Indoors?

Depending on the type of potato, it takes roughly 30-40 days to grow potatoes from seed indoors and then transplant them to your garden.

How long does it take to plant cabbage in succession?

Kohlrabi and spinach- 40 to 50 days. Bush beans, broccoli, and cucumbers- 60 to 70 days, plant in four-week increments. Cabbage and carrots- 70 + days.

How to grow plants in 3 feet?

Growing plants in 3-feet wide rows will still allow you to tend to plants across the row from either side. Use trellises or fence for vining crops to encourage upward growth, rather than letting them sprawl across the ground. Pole beans, peas, cucumbers, and Malabar spinach grow well using this method.

How to grow crops closer together?

Plants grown closer together will help retain soil moisture, control weeds and provide shade. Just make sure to allow enough space for you to harvest the crop. Extend your harvest by planting in intervals. Staggering your planting schedule will ensure that crops ripen at different times, rather than all at once.

When is the best time to plant vegetables in Ohio?

For much of Ohio, the dates of the average last spring frost -- at 32 degrees Fahrenheit -- range from the end of April to late May ; the first frost dates in fall range from mid-September to mid-October.

How many seasons can you plant vegetables in Ohio?

When planning your vegetable garden, timing is crucial to getting the most from your hard work. Ohio gardeners can plant during three of the four seasons to get a bigger bounty at harvest times.

When do Cole crops mature?

Image Credit: schulzie/iStock/Getty Images. Certain vegetable crops do best when they mature after the hottest part of summer. For example, summer's heat can make lettuces ( Lactuca sativa) bolt and produce bitter leaves.

Why is early spring planting important?

Early-spring planting also reduces the amount of pests on seedlings. Advertisement. Help protect young plants' tender leaves and stems from unexpected frosts by draping a protective sheet over stakes in the ground around them or by placing plastic bottles or milk jugs around individual plants. Advertisement.

How to protect young plants from frost?

Help protect young plants' tender leaves and stems from unexpected frosts by draping a protective sheet over stakes in the ground around them or by placing plastic bottles or milk jugs around individual plants.

When should I plant garlic in my garden?

When the soil temperature is 60° at a depth of 4 inches, then plant your garlic. Cole crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can be direct seeded into your garden around August 4, but because of the heat during that time of year, it's better to start them indoors around June 15 and then transplant them into the garden around July 25.

When should I plant cabbage in the spring?

For the Spring: Your planting strategy: Cole crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can be direct seeded into your garden around March 15, assuming the ground can be worked, but it's better to start them indoors around February 16 and then transplant them into the garden around April 6. Do the same with lettuce and spinach.