When to plant tomatoes in Columbus, Ohio

April 27 – May 11

Transplant outdoors · typical Columbus year

Climate basis: NOAA station Columbus Wcmh, OH (USC00331785), 4 mi (7 km) from downtown Columbus (ZCTA 43215 centroid), elevation 740 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant tomatoes outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 20). One year in ten still freezes after May 7.

Last spring freezeApril 201-in-10 after May 7

First fall freezeOctober 241-in-10 before Oct 13

Frost-free season≈ 185 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 8 – Nov 3kills even hardy greens

USDA zone6b-5 to 0°F winter low — not frost timing

The Columbus year

Start seeds indoorsMar 2 – Mar 16

Transplant outdoorsApr 27 – May 11

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to May 7

Tomatoes in Columbus · freeze context from Columbus Wcmh, OH, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Mar 2 – Mar 16

Sow 6–8 weeks before the outdoor transplant window opens (UNH: time from seed to transplant 6–8 weeks; Missouri G6570: 6–8 weeks in packs). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 20). University of New Hampshire Extension · University of Missouri Extension

Transplant outdoors

Apr 27 – May 11

UNH: safe to set out 1–2 weeks after last frost. Purdue classes tomato as tender — plant after the average last spring frost. Latest-starting rule (UNH) used; span extended to 14 days. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 20). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Direct-sow outdoors

Not calculated

Direct seeding is not recommended timing practice in the cited guides for most U.S. climates; tomatoes are grown from transplants.

Variety assumption: Assumes an average mid-season variety (roughly 65–80 days from transplant).

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 (3)

University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
University of Missouri Extension: Starting Plants Indoors from Seeds (G6570) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Weeks needed to grow vegetable transplants indoors (Table 2).
Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.

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