Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Indianapolis, Indiana

Typical last spring frost April 15 (1 spring in 10 later than May 2). Typical first fall frost October 26 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 13). Growing season about 193 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 2 and fades out by May 2. It is unlikely from then until October 13, and likely again after November 7. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 15 and October 26.

January

  • January 28 to February 25: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)

February

  • February 11 to March 11: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)
  • February 25 to March 18: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 4 to 18: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 11 to 25: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 18 to April 1: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 18 to April 1: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

April

  • April 1 to 15: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 1 to 15: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 15: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)
  • April 29: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • April 29: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 31 to June 14: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

June

  • June 20 to July 4: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 30: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)

August

  • August 3: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 4: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 8: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 9: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 13: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 23: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 2: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 12: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 13: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 12 to 19: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Indianapolis (station USW00093819), 9 miles from the center of Indianapolis. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/indiana/indianapolis/

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