When is the last frost in Indianapolis, IN?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Indianapolis is April 15, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until May 2.

When is the first frost in Indianapolis?

The average first fall frost in Indianapolis is October 26, with a growing season of about 193 days.

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Indianapolis, Indiana frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 15. Average first fall frost: October 26. That gives a growing season of about 193 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is May 2, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 15

1-in-10 risk after May 2

First frost (50%)

Oct 26

1-in-10 risk before Oct 13

Growing season

193 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Apr 4

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	April 2	November 7
70%	April 9	October 30
50%	April 15	October 26
30%	April 21	October 21
10%	May 2	October 13

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after May 2. These are NOAA probabilities for the Indianapolis weather station (USW00093819, elevation 241 m), 1991–2020.

Indianapolis vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 15). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (May 2) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 25	Apr 22 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 4	Mar 18
Brussels sprouts	Feb 4	Mar 18
Cabbage	Jan 28	Mar 11
Cauliflower	Feb 18	Apr 1
Sweet corn	Mar 18	Apr 15 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Apr 1	Apr 22
Kale	Jan 28	Mar 11
Leeks	Dec 31	Mar 11
Lettuce	Feb 25	Apr 1
Melons	Apr 8	Apr 29
Onions	Dec 24	Mar 4 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 18	Mar 18 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 4	Apr 29
Squash	Apr 8	Apr 29
Tomatoes	Feb 18	Apr 15

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 26. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 13. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 5.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Cincinnati, OH	Apr 18	Oct 25	~156 km
Fort Wayne, IN	Apr 24	Oct 21	~168 km
Louisville, KY	Mar 31	Nov 7	~176 km
Dayton, OH	Apr 16	Oct 28	~177 km
Evansville, IN	Apr 4	Oct 29	~213 km
Lexington, KY	Apr 13	Oct 28	~234 km

More: all Indiana frost dates