When Is the Last Frost in Indiana?
The average last spring frost in Indiana falls between April 10 and April 28 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 22. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | Apr 20 | May 5 | Oct 21 | 183 days |
| Fort Wayne | Apr 24 | May 10 | Oct 21 | 178 days |
| Evansville | Apr 4 | Apr 19 | Oct 29 | 206 days |
| Fishers | Apr 21 | May 8 | Oct 21 | 183 days |
| South Bend | Apr 23 | May 9 | Oct 23 | 181 days |
| Carmel | Apr 21 | May 8 | Oct 21 | 183 days |
| Bloomington | Apr 15 | May 3 | Oct 26 | 192 days |
| Hammond | Apr 23 | May 11 | Oct 20 | 179 days |
| Noblesville | Apr 21 | May 8 | Oct 21 | 183 days |
| Lafayette | Apr 26 | May 14 | Oct 18 | 173 days |
| Muncie | Apr 16 | May 2 | Oct 25 | 190 days |
| Kokomo | Apr 27 | May 13 | Oct 18 | 174 days |
| Terre Haute | Apr 15 | May 3 | Oct 19 | 187 days |
| Anderson | Apr 19 | May 5 | Oct 23 | 186 days |
| Elkhart | Apr 26 | May 12 | Oct 21 | 175 days |
| Jeffersonville | Mar 31 | Apr 14 | Nov 9 | 225 days |
| Columbus | Apr 11 | Apr 30 | Oct 25 | 195 days |
| Portage | Apr 22 | May 8 | Oct 27 | 188 days |
| Crown Point | Apr 29 | May 14 | Oct 16 | 171 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 117 Indiana weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from March 29 at Evansville Museum, IN to May 2 at Garrett 1 S, IN. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Indiana?
The average first fall frost in Indiana arrives between October 15 and October 29 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 21. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Indianapolis has a 10% chance of frost before October 7, Fort Wayne has a 10% chance of frost before October 8 and Evansville has a 10% chance of frost before October 17. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Indiana?
Transplant tomatoes in Indiana 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 27 – May 4 in Indianapolis, May 1 – May 8 in Fort Wayne and Apr 11 – Apr 18 in Evansville. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 4 | after May 5 |
| Fort Wayne | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 10 |
| Evansville | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | after Apr 19 |
| Fishers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 5 | after May 8 |
| South Bend | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 7 | after May 9 |
| Carmel | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 5 | after May 8 |
| Bloomington | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | after May 3 |
| Hammond | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 7 | after May 11 |
| Noblesville | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 5 | after May 8 |
| Lafayette | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 10 | after May 14 |
| Muncie | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | after May 2 |
| Kokomo | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 11 | after May 13 |
| Terre Haute | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | after May 3 |
| Anderson | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 3 | after May 5 |
| Elkhart | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 10 | after May 12 |
| Jeffersonville | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | after Apr 14 |
| Columbus | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | after Apr 30 |
| Portage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 6 | after May 8 |
| Crown Point | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 14 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Indianapolis and When?
Indianapolis's average last frost of April 20 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from March 9, broccoli and lettuce transplants from March 23, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after April 27.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30 – Apr 6direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 4transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 11transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 11transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Apr 27 – May 11direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 27 – May 11direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 11transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Indianapolis (last frost Apr 20, NOAA station Indianapolis Se Side, IN, 6 miles from ZIP 46204). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Indiana?
The frost-free growing season in Indiana lasts about 169 to 201 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 181 days. Among the listed cities, Crown Point has the shortest season at 171 days and Jeffersonville the longest at 225.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Indiana range from 159 days at Garrett 1 S, IN to 225 days at Evansville Museum, IN. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Indiana?
Indiana spans USDA hardiness zones 5b to 7a, with zone 6a the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Indiana planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Indiana?
- The average last spring frost in Indiana falls between April 10 and April 28 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 22. Among major cities it ranges from March 31 in Jeffersonville to April 29 in Crown Point.
- When is the last frost in Indianapolis, Indiana?
- Indianapolis's average last spring frost is April 20, and by May 5 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages October 21, giving a 183-day growing season (NOAA station Indianapolis Se Side, IN).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Indiana?
- Transplant tomatoes in Indiana 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 27 – May 4 in Indianapolis, May 1 – May 8 in Fort Wayne and Apr 11 – Apr 18 in Evansville. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Indiana?
- The average first fall frost in Indiana arrives between October 15 and October 29 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 21. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Indiana?
- The frost-free growing season in Indiana lasts about 169 to 201 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 181 days, from 171 days in Crown Point to 225 days in Jeffersonville.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.