Frost Dates for Chesterton, IN 46304
Last spring frost May 3 · First fall frost October 13 · 163 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46304 has about 28,300 people.
Moderate season: 163 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 19–May 17 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 28–October 29 (31 days).
Frost probability for 46304
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 17 | May 3 | April 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 28 | October 13 | October 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WANATAH 2 WNW (21.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 163-day season in Chesterton
In Chesterton (163 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | 121 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 121 available after May 17. | Jun 13 |
| Pepper | Mar 22 | May 17–May 24 | 121 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after May 17. | Jun 18 |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 12. | Aug 11 |
| Cucumber | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Beans | — | May 10–May 24 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Peas | — | Mar 8–May 17 | 226 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 8. | Aug 2 |
| Zucchini | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Onion | Feb 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 198 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 8–Apr 26 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Kale | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 5. | Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 5. | Aug 11 |
| Radish | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Oct 20. | Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 13 | 268 | overwinter: Plant Oct 13 to Nov 3; harvest the following summer. | Nov 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 29–May 24 | 219 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 29; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 10. | Jun 25 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 19 | May 17–May 17 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 17. | May 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 10 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 26. | Jul 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 5. | Jul 12 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 17. | May 31 |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 121 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 121 available after May 17. | Jun 23 |
| Okra | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Basil | Mar 29 | May 24–May 24 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 24. | Jul 17 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 5–Apr 26 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Parsley | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after May 10. | Jul 28 |
| Celery | Feb 22 | May 10–May 24 | 163 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 163 available after May 10. | Jun 8 |
| Scallions | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Collards | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 121 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 121 available after May 17. | Jun 8 |
| Chives | Feb 8 | May 10–May 17 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Oregano | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after May 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 8 | May 10–May 17 | 163 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 163 available after May 10. | — |
| Sage | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after May 10. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 10. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Cosmos | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Lavender | Feb 8 | May 3–May 17 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 22 | May 3–May 10 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Melons | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 121 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 121 available after May 17. | Jun 8 |
| Mint | — | May 3–May 17 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 10–May 24 | 142 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 142 available after May 10. | Jul 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 128 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 128 available after May 17. | Jun 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 3–May 17 | 149 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 149 available after May 3. | Jul 7 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 10. | Jun 18 |
| Watermelon | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 10. | Jun 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Zinnias | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
Month by month in Chesterton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 8), Lavender (Feb 8), Onion (Feb 8), Rosemary (Feb 8), Celery (Feb 22), Collards (Feb 22), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 8), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 8), Cabbage (Mar 8), Lettuce (Mar 8), Sage (Mar 8), Swiss Chard (Mar 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 8), Beets (Mar 8), Dill (Mar 8), Peas (Mar 8), Radish (Mar 8), Spinach (Mar 8), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 29). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Cosmos (Apr 5), Nasturtiums (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Zinnias (Apr 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 5), Turnip (Apr 5), Carrots (Apr 12), Potatoes (Apr 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 5), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 5), Cabbage (Apr 5), Collards (Apr 5), Kale (Apr 5), Lettuce (Apr 5), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 3), Beans (May 10), Pole Beans (May 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 3), Lavender (May 3), Marigolds (May 3), Mint (May 3), Nasturtiums (May 3), Zinnias (May 3), +23 more. Last frost around May 3. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 31), Pumpkin (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 8), Celery (Jun 8), Melons (Jun 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 10), Tomato (Jun 13), Watermelon (Jun 13), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 12), Pole Beans (Jul 12), Basil (Jul 17), Cosmos (Jul 17), Cucumber (Jul 17), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 2), Cabbage (Aug 11), Carrots (Aug 11), Beets (Aug 12), Dill (Aug 12), Swiss Chard (Aug 12), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 10), Spinach (Sep 10), Radish (Sep 11). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 13). First frost around October 13. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 3). |
| 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 Chesterton, IN (ZIP 46304)?
The median last spring frost date for Chesterton, IN (ZIP code 46304) is around May 3. 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 19; one in ten it runs past May 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Chesterton, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Chesterton, IN is around October 13. 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 28 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Chesterton, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Chesterton is about 163 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 Chesterton (163 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Chesterton, IN?
Chesterton, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Chesterton, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 29 and plant out May 17 in Chesterton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Chesterton?
Two: plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20.
When do I plant garlic in Chesterton?
Oct 13 to Nov 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Michigan City (ZIP 46360) has 173 frost-free days, 10 more than Chesterton (ZIP 46304). See Michigan City ZIP 46360 frost dates
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