Frost Dates for Bloomington, IN 47401
Last spring frost April 25 · First fall frost October 11 · 169 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 47401 has about 40,600 people, the largest of 6 ZIP codes in Bloomington.
Moderate season: 169 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 9–May 11 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 30–October 21 (21 days).
Frost probability for 47401
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 11 | April 25 | April 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 30 | October 11 | October 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at OOLITIC PURDUE EX FM (23.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Bloomington, IN
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47401 | April 25 | October 11 | 6b |
| 47403 | April 25 | October 11 | 6b |
| 47408 | April 28 | October 8 | 6b |
| 47404 | April 28 | October 8 | 6b |
| 47406 | April 28 | October 8 | 6b |
| 47405 | April 28 | October 8 | 6b |
Which crops fit a 169-day season in Bloomington
In Bloomington (169 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 21 | May 9–May 16 | 127 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after May 9. | Jun 11 |
| Pepper | Mar 14 | May 9–May 16 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 9. | Jun 16 |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 4. | Aug 9 |
| Cucumber | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Beans | — | May 2–May 16 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Peas | — | Feb 28–May 9 | 232 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 232 available after Feb 28. | Jul 31 |
| Zucchini | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Onion | Jan 31 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 28–Apr 18 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Kale | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 28. | Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 28. | Aug 9 |
| Radish | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Oct 18. | Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 11 | 274 | overwinter: Plant Oct 11 to Nov 1; harvest the following summer. | Nov 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 21–May 16 | 225 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 2. | Jun 23 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 11 | May 9–May 9 | 134 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 134 available after May 9. | May 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 | Apr 18–May 2 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 18. | Jul 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 218 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 28. | Jul 10 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 134 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 134 available after May 9. | May 29 |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 127 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 127 available after May 9. | Jun 21 |
| Okra | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Basil | Mar 21 | May 16–May 16 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 28–Apr 18 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Parsley | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after May 2. | Jul 26 |
| Celery | Feb 14 | May 2–May 16 | 169 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 169 available after May 2. | Jun 6 |
| Scallions | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Collards | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 127 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 127 available after May 9. | Jun 6 |
| Chives | Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after May 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Oregano | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after May 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after May 2. | — |
| Sage | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after May 2. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after May 2. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Cosmos | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Lavender | Jan 31 | Apr 25–May 9 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 2 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 25 |
| Melons | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 127 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 127 available after May 9. | Jun 6 |
| Mint | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 2–May 16 | 148 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 148 available after May 2. | Jul 10 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 134 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 134 available after May 9. | Jun 8 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 155 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 25. | Jul 5 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 134 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after May 2. | Jun 16 |
| Watermelon | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 134 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 134 available after May 2. | Jun 11 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Zinnias | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
Month by month in Bloomington
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 31), Lavender (Jan 31), Onion (Jan 31), Rosemary (Jan 31). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 14), Collards (Feb 14), Kale (Feb 14), Oregano (Feb 14), Parsley (Feb 14), Scallions (Feb 14), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 28), Beets (Feb 28), Dill (Feb 28), Peas (Feb 28), Radish (Feb 28), Spinach (Feb 28). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 7), Calendula (Mar 14), Cauliflower (Mar 14), Marigolds (Mar 14), Pepper (Mar 14), Basil (Mar 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 14), Cilantro (Mar 28), Turnip (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 28), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 28), Cabbage (Mar 28), Collards (Mar 28), Kale (Mar 28), Lettuce (Mar 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 21). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 4), Butternut Squash (Apr 11), Cantaloupe (Apr 11), Melons (Apr 11), Pumpkin (Apr 11), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 11), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 4), Potatoes (Apr 11), Sunflowers (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 11), Swiss Chard (Apr 11), Bok Choy (Apr 18), Cauliflower (Apr 18), Cosmos (Apr 25), Lavender (Apr 25), +4 more. Last frost around April 25. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 2), Pole Beans (May 2). Transplant from: Celery (May 2), Chives (May 2), Corn (May 2), Okra (May 2), Oregano (May 2), Parsley (May 2), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 29), Pumpkin (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 6), Celery (Jun 6), Melons (Jun 6), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 8), Tomato (Jun 11), Watermelon (Jun 11), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 5), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 10), Pole Beans (Jul 10), Basil (Jul 15), Cosmos (Jul 15), Cucumber (Jul 15), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 9), Carrots (Aug 9), Beets (Aug 10), Dill (Aug 10), Swiss Chard (Aug 10), Calendula (Aug 15), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 8), Spinach (Sep 8), Radish (Sep 9). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 11). First frost around October 11. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 1). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Bloomington, IN (ZIP 47401)?
The median last spring frost date for Bloomington, IN (ZIP code 47401) is around April 25. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 9; one in ten it runs past May 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Bloomington, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Bloomington, IN is around October 11. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 30 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bloomington, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Bloomington is about 169 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Bloomington (169 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Bloomington, IN?
Bloomington, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Bloomington, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 21 and plant out May 9 in Bloomington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bloomington?
Two: plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18.
When do I plant garlic in Bloomington?
Oct 11 to Nov 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Nashville (ZIP 47448) has 184 frost-free days, 15 more than Bloomington (ZIP 47401). See Nashville ZIP 47448 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Nashville, IN 47448 (12.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Bedford, IN 47421 (15.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Spencer, IN 47460 (22.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Columbus, IN 47201 (24.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Martinsville, IN 46151 (25 mi)
- When to plant in Bloomington, IN: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in IN
- When to plant Peppers in IN
- When to plant Cucumbers in IN
- When to plant Zucchini in IN
- When to plant Butternut Squash in IN
- When to plant Basil in IN
- When to plant Sweet Corn in IN
- Look up another ZIP