Ohio · zones 5b6b

When to plant strawberries in Ohio.

Sow or transplant between Apr 11 to May 16 in a typical year, keyed to Ohio's median last frost around Apr 25. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.

The 2026 windows

Strawberries dates for a typical Ohio season.

1 · Start indoors

Feb 28 to Apr 4

About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.

2 · Set out

Apr 11 to May 16

Keyed to the ~Apr 25 last frost. Sow 0" deep, 12" apart.

Harvest

~90 days later

~1.5 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.

Ohio spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5b to 6b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.