When is the last frost in Lancaster, OH?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Lancaster is around April 22, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Lancaster, OH station (1.4 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Lancaster?

The average first fall frost in Lancaster, OH is around October 24, giving roughly a 183-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Lancaster, OH?

Lancaster is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -10 to -5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Lancaster?

In Lancaster, OH the warmest month is July (avg high 85°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 21.5°F). It averages about 40.2″ of precipitation a year.

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Lancaster, OH Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 43130 · elevation 252′ · NOAA & USDA data

Lancaster is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 183 days between the average last spring frost (April 22) and first fall frost (October 24). The warmest month is July (avg high 85°F); the coldest is January (avg low 21.5°F). It averages 40.2″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -10 to -5°F

Last spring frost

April 22

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 24

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

183 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 85°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Lancaster

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Lancaster, OH (1.4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	37.5	21.5	29.5	2.9	–
February	41.3	24	32.6	2.3	–
March	51.6	31.7	41.7	3.4	–
April	64.8	41.2	53	3.9	–
May	74.1	51.8	63	4.2	–
June	82	61.1	71.6	4.1	–
July	85	64.7	74.9	4.2	–
August	84.1	62.7	73.4	3.4	–
September	78.1	54.8	66.5	3.2	–
October	65.8	43.5	54.7	3.1	–
November	53	33.5	43.2	2.7	–
December	41.8	26.9	34.4	2.9	–

What to plant when in Lancaster

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 11 · Transplant out: April 29
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 25 · Transplant out: May 6
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 29
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 29
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 29
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 29
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 29
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): August 29
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): August 29
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): August 29
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 1 · Sow (fall): August 15
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 8
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 1 · Sow (fall): August 15
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 25
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 8
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): September 12

Dates are computed from Lancaster's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Ohio

Grove City, OH Newark, OH Westerville, OH Columbus, OH Dublin, OH Springfield, OH Mansfield, OH Dayton, OH

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Lancaster, OH, 1.4 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Lancaster, OH, 1.4 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.