Ohio · zones 5b–6b
When to plant zucchini in Ohio.
Sow between May 2 to Aug 12 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
Zucchini dates for a typical Ohio season.
Direct sow
May 2 to Aug 12
Keyed to the ~Apr 25 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 24" apart.
Harvest
~50 days later
~8 lb per plant over ~5 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.
In Ohio: watch for
The pests that find zucchini here.
A middle-length season, about 173 frost-free days, means squash, summer overlaps squash bugs for a stretch each summer. Check plants every week or two and treat early.
Gray shield bugs; leaves wilt and get crispy patches.
Organic fix: Lay a board out overnight and collect them at dawn; scrape bronze egg clusters off leaf undersides.
Sudden wilt with sawdust-like frass at the stem base.
Organic fix: Cover young plants; slit the stem to remove the grub, or inject Bt.
Yellow striped or spotted beetles chewing leaves and blossoms.
Organic fix: Row cover until the first female flowers open, then hand-pick.
White powder coating the leaves late in the season.
Organic fix: Space for airflow, water the soil rather than the leaves, use resistant varieties.
Your season math: Ohio gives zucchini about 173 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 50 days to a first harvest. That fits about 5 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.
Planting zucchini in Ohio: questions
When should I plant zucchini in Ohio?+
In a typical Ohio year, sow zucchini between May 2 to Aug 12, keyed to the state's median last frost around Apr 25. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
What USDA zone is Ohio?+
Ohio spans zones 5b–6b, mostly zone 6. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many zucchini plants do I need?+
Depends who you're feeding. The crop page has exact counts per household size, or the free planner does the math for your family in about 60 seconds.