When to plant snapdragon in Cleveland, Ohio

March 11 – March 25

Transplant outdoors · typical Cleveland year

Climate basis: NOAA station Cleveland Burke AP, OH (USW00004853), 2 mi (4 km) from downtown Cleveland (ZCTA 44113 centroid), elevation 584 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant snapdragon outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 8). One year in ten still freezes after April 20.

Last spring freezeApril 81-in-10 after Apr 20

First fall freezeNovember 121-in-10 before Nov 1

Frost-free season≈ 217 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 1 – Nov 22kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7a0 to 5°F winter low — not frost timing

The Cleveland year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25

Transplant outdoorsMar 11 – Mar 25

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 20

Snapdragon in Cleveland · freeze context from Cleveland Burke AP, OH, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 11 – Feb 25

Colorado State's seed-starting table lists snapdragon at 8 weeks before the average frost-free date in the 'Indoors' column, the longest lead time of any source found, so indoor sowing opens 8 weeks before the median last freeze and runs a two-week span. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 8). Colorado State University Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 11 – Mar 25

Illinois Extension names snapdragon in its hardy-annual list and states those can usually be planted about four weeks before the frost-free date, so transplanting opens 4 weeks before the median last freeze. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 8). University of Illinois Extension

Variety assumption: Assumes ordinary bedding and cut-flower strains of Antirrhinum majus grown as an annual; it is a hardy annual that flowers best in cool weather and Colorado State's 8-week indoor lead time reflects its slow start from very fine seed.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (2)

Colorado State University Extension: Growing Annual Plants from Seed (accessed 2026-07-25)
"Table 1: Starting times for seeds grown indoors and in cold frames, shown as number of weeks to start seed before average frost-free date."
University of Illinois Extension: Annuals — Flowers (accessed 2026-08-26)
The current page names snapdragon as a hardy annual and says hardy annuals can usually be planted about four weeks before the local frost-free date.

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