Columbus, OH Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Columbus

No planting windows from our rules fall in October; see the month-by-month list below.

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Apr 20, 50% risk), balanced = Apr 27 (30%), safe = May 7 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

A soil thermometer helps here. CSU recommends checking soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before sowing. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so instead of a date, each crop shows CSU's minimum soil temperature.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Columbus

What to plant in Columbus in February

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Feb 9–23)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Feb 9–23)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Feb 23 – Mar 9)

What to plant in Columbus in March

• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Mar 9–30)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Mar 16–30)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 30 – Apr 13)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Feb 23 – Mar 9)

What to plant in Columbus in April

• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 30 – Apr 13)

What to plant in Columbus in May

• Peppers: transplant outdoors (May 4–21)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (May 4–21)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (May 4–21)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (May 4–21)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (May 4–21)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (May 18–21)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (May 29 – Jun 12)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6 – May 7)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)

What to plant in Columbus in June

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 18 – Jul 2)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (May 29 – Jun 12)

What to plant in Columbus in July

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Jul 17)
• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Jul 28)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 18 – Jul 2)

What to plant in Columbus in August

• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Aug 1)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Aug 2)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Aug 6)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 6)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Aug 7)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Aug 11)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Aug 11)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Aug 11)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Aug 11)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Aug 21)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Aug 21)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Aug 31)

What to plant in Columbus in September

• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Sep 10)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Columbus

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rules are to set tomatoes out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost and only once nights are above 52°F. In Columbus, the frost rule alone would allow about May 4, but the average nightly low at Columbus WCMH first rises above 52°F on May 18, so the dates shown start no earlier than that: about May 18 using the typical date, May 18 as a balanced choice, or May 21 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Mar 30 – Apr 13, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on May 18. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Columbus WCMH, the normal low reaches 55°F on May 26. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, tomato plants set out on May 18 would start producing around Jul 22. That's 94 days before the typical first frost (Oct 24).

When to plant peppers in Columbus

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set peppers out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about May 4 using the typical date, May 11 as a balanced choice, or May 21 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Mar 16–30, 6–8 weeks before transplanting on May 11. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Columbus WCMH, the normal low reaches 55°F on May 26. Using CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest, pepper plants set out on May 11 would start producing around Jul 20. That's 96 days before the typical first frost (Oct 24).

When to plant potatoes in Columbus

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, potatoes can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 6–20 in Columbus (typical date) or Apr 23 – May 7 (safer date). The soil should be at least 45°F.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Columbus

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 in Columbus using the typical date, or Apr 9–23 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F.

When to plant peas in Columbus

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Columbus, that's roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the typical date, or Apr 9–23 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 79 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 6, or by Jul 26 to be safe.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Columbus

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Columbus, that's roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the typical date, or Apr 9–23 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 11, or by Jul 31 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Columbus

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says carrots can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Columbus, that's roughly Apr 6–20 going by the typical date, or Apr 23 – May 7 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 84 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 1, or by Jul 21 to be safe.

When to plant beans (snap) in Columbus

Tender crop. CSU's timing for beans (snap) is around the average last frost, which is about Apr 20 in Columbus. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until May 7. Seeds want soil at 55°F or warmer. For a fall crop, sow by Jul 28, or by Jul 17 to be safe. That's 88 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Columbus

Tender crop. CSU says to sow summer squash around the average last frost, about Apr 20 in Columbus. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until May 7. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 7, or by Jul 27 to be safe. That's 78 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant broccoli in Columbus

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 in Columbus using the typical date, or Apr 9–23 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for broccoli plants is 65 days. Set out on Mar 30, they would start producing around Jun 3, 143 days before the typical first frost (Oct 24). For a fall crop, set broccoli transplants out by Aug 6. That's UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Oct 24), using CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest. If you grow your own transplants, start seeds Jun 18 – Jul 2 (CSU: 5–7 weeks to transplant size).

When to plant cabbage in Columbus

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Columbus, that's roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the typical date, or Apr 9–23 going by the safer date. Set out on Mar 30, cabbage plants would start producing around Jun 23, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 123 days before the typical first frost (Oct 24). Fall cabbage: set transplants out by Jul 17. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Oct 24) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started May 29 – Jun 12 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cauliflower in Columbus

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, cauliflower can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 6–20 in Columbus (typical date) or Apr 23 – May 7 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F.

When to plant kohlrabi in Columbus

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Columbus, that's roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the typical date, or Apr 9–23 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 21 (Aug 10 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Columbus

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 in Columbus using the typical date, or Apr 9–23 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For fall, sow by Aug 11 (Jul 31 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Columbus

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 in Columbus using the typical date, or Apr 9–23 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, count back 44 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 10, or by Aug 30 to be safe.

When to plant spinach in Columbus

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Columbus, that's roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the typical date, or Apr 9–23 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 31, or by Aug 20 to be safe. That's 54 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Columbus

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 in Columbus using the typical date, or Apr 9–23 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 21, or by Aug 10 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Columbus

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, beets can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 6–20 in Columbus (typical date) or Apr 23 – May 7 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 11 (Jul 31 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in Columbus

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says swiss chard can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Columbus, that's roughly Apr 6–20 going by the typical date, or Apr 23 – May 7 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 11 (Jul 31 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Columbus

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says parsnips can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 35°F. In Columbus, that's roughly Apr 6–20 going by the typical date, or Apr 23 – May 7 going by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Columbus

Tender crop. Sow sweet corn around the average last frost, per CSU: about Apr 20 in Columbus. Waiting until May 7 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Columbus

Tender crop. CSU says to sow cucumbers around the average last frost, about Apr 20 in Columbus. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until May 7. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, sow by Aug 2 (Jul 22 to be safe), which is 83 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Columbus

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set eggplant out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about May 4 using the typical date, May 11 as a balanced choice, or May 21 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Mar 9–30, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on May 11. Using CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest, eggplant plants set out on May 11 would start producing around Jul 10. That's 106 days before the typical first frost (Oct 24).

When to plant cantaloupe in Columbus

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant cantaloupe 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about May 4 (typical date), May 11 (balanced) or May 21 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Columbus

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant watermelon around May 4 at the earliest, May 11 as a balanced choice, or May 21 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Columbus

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant winter squash 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about May 4 (typical date), May 11 (balanced) or May 21 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Columbus?

Tomatoes: Mar 30 – Apr 13. Peppers: Mar 16–30. Both windows count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Columbus?

CSU Extension's rules for tomatoes are 2+ weeks after the average last frost and nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would allow about May 4 here, but the average nightly low at Columbus WCMH isn't above 52°F until May 18. With both rules, the dates are about May 18 at the earliest, May 18 as a balanced choice, or May 21 to be safe.

What can I plant in Columbus in the fall?

Based on UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Oct 24), the deadlines are: peas by Aug 6; lettuce (leaf) by Aug 11; carrots by Aug 1; beans (snap) by Jul 28; summer squash by Aug 7; broccoli by Aug 6 (transplants); cabbage by Jul 17 (transplants); kohlrabi by Aug 21; green onions by Aug 11; radishes by Sep 10; spinach by Aug 31; turnips by Aug 21; beets by Aug 11; swiss chard by Aug 11; cucumbers by Aug 2.

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