Planting calendar for Columbus, Ohio

Dates from 30 years of records at the Columbus Wcmh weather station, 4.7 miles from Columbus, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Columbus at a glance

Weather station: Columbus Wcmh · 4.7 mi
USDA zone: 6b
Last spring frost: typically Apr 20; 1 year in 10 after May 7
First fall frost: typically Oct 24; 1 year in 10 before Oct 13
Frost-free season: about 187 days
Hottest month: July: highs 85°F, nights 65°F
Coldest month: January: highs 36°F, nights 21°F
Rain: 45 in. a year, most in May, June and July

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Columbus typically comes around Apr 20, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 7. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 24. That leaves about 187 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Columbus gets about 45 inches of rain a year, most of it in May, June and July.

157 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 17 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Columbus, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola, Snapdragon

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celery, Catnip, Lovage, Parsley, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

March35

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip

Herbs: Chamomile

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Catnip, Feverfew, Lavender, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Ground cherry, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

April48

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Dill, Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Winter savory

Fruit: Grape (bunch), Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli, Cabbage, Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chamomile, Chives, Fenugreek (methi), Garlic chives, Oregano, Thyme, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis (tickseed), Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May44

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Purslane, Salsify, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Basil, Epazote, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Thyme

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native), Nasturtium

Can also plant

Artichoke, Asparagus, Beet, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice

June57

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Stevia, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

July61

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Okinawa spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Turnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Cleome (spider flower), Stock, Sunflower

Start seeds indoors

Lettuce (romaine & head)

August38

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Mache (corn salad), Radish, Spinach, Annual salvia, Pansy / viola

September9

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Garden cress, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach

Flowers: Pansy / viola

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Columbus

157 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 18–Jun 1, Aug 6–22	Jun 2–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 3–17, Jul 5–25	May 18–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Apr 6–20	Apr 21–May 18	Feb 2–16	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 18–Apr 17, Aug 11–Sep 16	Mar 9–17, Apr 18–May 4, Jul 1–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 18	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 3–17, Jul 19–Aug 9	May 18–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 3–17, Jun 14–Jul 5	May 18–Jun 13	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 18–Jun 1, Jun 20–Jul 10	Jun 2–19	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 3–17, Jul 9–30	May 18–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 23–Apr 13, Aug 4–25	Apr 14–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 3–17, Jul 7–28	May 18–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Jul 20–Aug 18	—	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Jun 4–18	Jun 19–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 28–Aug 17	Apr 7–28, Jun 25–Jul 27	Feb 9–23, Jun 16–Jul 6	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 23–Apr 8, Aug 11–Sep 4	Apr 9–18, Jul 10–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 23–Apr 4, Jul 9–30	May 23–Jul 8	Feb 9–21, May 28–Jun 18	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 16–30, Jul 15–Aug 5	Mar 31–May 15, May 28–Jul 14	Feb 2–16, Jun 3–24	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 20–May 4	May 5–Jun 11	Feb 16–Mar 2	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 30–Apr 20, Jul 25–Aug 15	Apr 21–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 30–Apr 13, Jul 14–Aug 3	Apr 14–May 2, Jul 1–13	Feb 16–Mar 2, Jun 2–22	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 6–20, Jun 10–Jul 1	Apr 21–Jun 9	Jan 19–Feb 2, Mar 25–Apr 15	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 18–May 2, Jun 6–27	May 3–Jun 5	Jan 31–Feb 14, Mar 21–Apr 11	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 4–18	Apr 19–Jun 24	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 30–Apr 20, Aug 2–22	Apr 21–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 8–29	Apr 7–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 3–17, Jul 12–Aug 2	May 18–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 3–17, Jul 10–30	May 18–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 30–Apr 13, Aug 4–25	Apr 14–23, Jul 13–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 18–Jun 1, Jun 22–Jul 12	Jun 2–21	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 18–Jun 1, Jun 25–Jul 15	Jun 2–24	Mar 16–30, Apr 23–May 13	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 3–Nov 7	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Apr 6–14, Jul 6–27	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 6–May 1, Aug 23–Sep 20	May 2–19, Jul 17–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 3–Nov 7	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 4–28	—	Apr 16–May 10	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 23–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 18	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Mar 9–30, Aug 21–Sep 10	Mar 31–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 12–Sep 1	Apr 7–May 29, Jun 23–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 18–Sep 9	Apr 20–May 5, Jun 11–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jun 29–Jul 20	Apr 7–Jun 28	Jan 19–Feb 2, Apr 27–May 18	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 23–Apr 9, Jul 31–Sep 6	Apr 10–27, Jun 23–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Jul 23–Aug 20	Mar 30–Apr 9, Jul 1–22	Jun 18–Jul 16	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	Jun 4–13	—	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Sep 4–18	Mar 23–Apr 7, Aug 18–Sep 3	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Jun 4–18, Jul 2–16	Jun 19–Jul 1	Apr 16–30, May 14–28	Set out plants
Moringa	Jun 4–18	Jun 19–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 18–Apr 14, Aug 20–Sep 14	Mar 9–17, Apr 15–23, Jul 16–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jul 8–Aug 15	Apr 6–13, Jun 7–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 3–17, Jul 12–Aug 1	May 18–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jun 4–18	Jun 19–Jul 25	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jun 4–18, Jul 10–22	Jun 19–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 14–Apr 3, May 31–Jul 11	Mar 9–13, Apr 4–May 30	Mar 15–Apr 25, Dec 27–Jan 16	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 30–Apr 20	Apr 21–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 9–23, Aug 2–22	Mar 24–May 2, Jul 1–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 9–23, Aug 2–22	Mar 24–May 1, Jun 28–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 9–23, Jun 17–Jul 8	May 24–Jun 16	Mar 7–21, Apr 15–May 6	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 4–18, Jun 27–Jul 18	May 19–Jun 26	Mar 2–16, Apr 25–May 16	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 3–10	May 11–Jun 22	—	Sow seeds
Potato	May 28–Jul 7	Mar 23–May 27	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 3–17, May 23–Jun 13	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 18–Jun 1, Jul 18–Aug 8	Jun 2–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 23–30	Mar 31–Apr 6	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 23–Apr 29, Aug 28–Sep 28	Mar 16–22, Apr 30–May 17, Jul 15–Aug 27	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 18	—	Set out plants
Salsify	Mar 30–Apr 20, May 21–Jun 11	Apr 21–May 20	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	Jun 4–10	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Mar 9–23, Jul 4–25	Mar 24–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Jun 4–18, Jun 22–Jul 12	—	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Mar 9–Apr 5, Sep 3–23	Apr 6–13, Jul 24–Sep 2	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 3–17, Jul 15–Aug 4	May 18–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 20–May 11	Mar 30–Apr 19	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 3–10, Jun 27–Jul 17	May 11–Jun 26	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 4–13	—	Apr 16–25	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 30–Apr 20, Aug 9–30	Apr 21–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 3–17	May 18–Jul 15	Mar 22–Apr 5	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 3–17, Jul 12–Aug 1	May 18–Jul 11	Mar 15–29, May 24–Jun 13	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 27–May 4, Jul 17–Aug 6	May 5–Jul 16	Mar 9–16, May 29–Jun 18	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 18–Jun 1, Jun 29–Jul 20	Jun 2–28	Mar 30–Apr 13, May 11–Jun 1	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 3–17, Jun 29–Jul 20	May 18–Jun 28	Mar 15–29, May 11–Jun 1	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 3–17, Jun 27–Jul 17	May 18–Jun 26	Mar 15–29, May 9–29	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 14–Sep 4	Apr 7–May 30, Jun 22–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 30–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 25	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	Jun 4–13	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 18–Jun 13	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 3–17, Jun 2–23	May 18–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Jun 4–18, Jun 27–Jul 11	Jun 19–26	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	May 28–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 27	Apr 13–May 1	Set out plants
Basil	May 18–25, Jul 10–30	May 26–Jul 9	Apr 13–20, Jun 5–25	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	May 28–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 27	Apr 9–27	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 13–May 1, Jul 4–Aug 16	May 2–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 30–Apr 13, Jul 15–Aug 5	Apr 14–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Apr 6–27	Apr 28–May 18	Feb 16–Mar 9	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 30–Aug 20	Apr 7–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Aug 15–Sep 4	Mar 30–Apr 9, Jul 19–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Chives	May 26–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 25	Apr 7–27	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jul 27–Aug 27	Apr 6–12, Jul 3–26	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 15–Jul 13	May 18–Jun 14	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Jun 4–18, Jul 4–11	Jun 19–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Apr 6–13, Jul 31–Aug 21	Apr 14–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 3–17, Jul 24–Aug 14	May 18–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Jul 24–Sep 2	Apr 20–May 8, Jun 22–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Apr 13–29	Apr 30–Jun 8	Feb 23–Mar 11	Set out plants
Garlic chives	May 26–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 25	Apr 7–27	Set out plants
Lavender	May 22–Jun 15	Apr 27–May 21	Mar 6–30	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 6–27	Apr 28–May 18	Mar 2–23	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 22–Jun 15	Apr 27–May 21	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 4–29	—	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Apr 6–24	Apr 25–May 18	Feb 16–Mar 6	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 22–Jun 15	Apr 27–May 21	Apr 3–27	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 6–27	Apr 28–May 18	—	Set out plants
Oregano	May 25–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 24	Apr 6–27	Set out plants
Papalo	May 18–Jun 1	Jun 2–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 30–Apr 13, Jul 15–Aug 5	Apr 14–Jul 14	Jan 26–Feb 9, May 13–Jun 3	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 22–Jun 15	Apr 27–May 21	Mar 6–30	Set out plants
Sage	Apr 13–27, May 26–Jun 8	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 23–Mar 9, Apr 7–20	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 3–10	May 11–Jul 27	Mar 29–Apr 5	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 3–27	May 18–Jun 2, Jun 28–Jul 5	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 20–May 4	May 5–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Apr 20–May 3, Jun 1–15	May 4–31	—	Set out plants
Thyme	May 20–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 19	Mar 25–Apr 20	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 31–Jun 28	May 3–30	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Apr 20–May 3, Jun 1–15	May 4–31	Mar 2–15, Apr 13–27	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 16–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 18	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 10–30	Mar 31–May 26	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 18–Jun 1, Jun 15–Jul 5	Jun 2–14	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 3–17	May 18–Jul 20	Mar 29–Apr 12	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 4	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 3–17	May 18–Jul 25	Mar 15–29	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 23–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 18	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 18	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 18–Jun 1, Jun 12–Jul 3	Jun 2–11	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 5–Jul 26	May 3–Jun 4, Jul 27–Aug 14	Mar 27–May 17	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 23–Apr 11, Jul 22–Aug 17	Apr 12–26, Jun 20–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 1–Jul 15	Apr 20–May 31, Jul 16–17	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Apr 6–27, Jul 11–Sep 1	Apr 28–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 23–Apr 11, Jul 22–Aug 17	Apr 12–26, Jun 20–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Jun 4–11, Jun 17–Jul 3	—	Apr 16–23, Apr 29–May 15	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 31–Jul 6	May 3–30, Jul 7–15	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Jun 7–Jul 26	Mar 23–Jun 6	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 6–Jul 10	May 18–Jun 5, Jul 11–25	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 6–Jul 10	May 18–Jun 5, Jul 11–25	Apr 18–May 22	Set out plants
Larkspur	Mar 9–29	—	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 4–Jul 23	May 3–Jun 3, Jul 24–Aug 9	Apr 16–Jun 4	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 25–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 24	Apr 20–May 11	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Apr 26–May 9, Jul 1–Aug 14	Apr 20–25, May 10–Jun 30	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Mar 9–30, Aug 27–Sep 16	Mar 31–Apr 27, Aug 7–26	Jun 11–Jul 1, Dec 22–Jan 12	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 25–Jul 26	Jun 4–24, Jul 27–Aug 6	Apr 23–May 24	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Apr 20–May 3, Jun 1–15	May 4–31	Feb 2–15, Mar 16–30	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 23–29, Jul 5–26	Jun 12–Jul 4	Jan 19–25, May 3–24	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 20–May 4, Jul 16–Aug 6	May 5–Jul 15	Feb 16–Mar 2, May 14–Jun 4	Set out plants
Stock	Apr 6–20, Aug 14–Sep 4	Apr 21–28, Jul 19–Aug 13	Feb 2–16, Jun 12–Jul 3	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 20–May 4, Jul 24–Aug 13	May 5–Jul 23	Mar 2–16, Jun 5–25	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 2–Jul 6	May 3–Jun 1, Jul 7–10	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 30–Apr 26, Jul 15–Sep 3	Apr 27–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 9–Apr 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 7–Jul 12	May 18–Jun 6, Jul 13–27	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Columbus

These need a climate Columbus doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 21°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 21°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 21°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 21°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 187 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fava bean: The frost-free season (about 187 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Fig: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 22°F; the coldest month here averages 21°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 187 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 21°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 21°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 21°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 187 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 187 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 21°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 187 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Rutabaga: The frost-free season (about 187 days) is shorter than the 95 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 187 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Charleston, WV 133 mi · last frost around Apr 16
Lexington, KY 154 mi · last frost around Apr 13
Detroit, MI 164 mi · last frost around Apr 21
Indianapolis, IN 168 mi · last frost around Apr 20
Chicago, IL 276 mi · last frost around Apr 10
All Ohio cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Columbus Wcmh station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).