Frost Dates for Elkhart, IN 46516
Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 14 · 168 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46516 has about 31,900 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Elkhart.
Moderate season: 168 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 15–May 13 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 28–October 29 (31 days).
Frost probability for 46516
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 13 | April 29 | April 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 28 | October 14 | October 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GOSHEN 3SW (14.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 168-day season in Elkhart
In Elkhart (168 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 25 | May 13–May 20 | 126 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 126 available after May 13. | Jun 14 |
| Pepper | Mar 18 | May 13–May 20 | 126 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 13. | Jun 19 |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 23 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 8. | Aug 12 |
| Cucumber | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4–May 13 | 231 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 4. | Aug 3 |
| Zucchini | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Onion | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4–Apr 22 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 11 |
| Kale | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 1. | Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 1. | Aug 12 |
| Radish | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Oct 21. | Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 14 | 273 | overwinter: Plant Oct 14 to Nov 4; harvest the following summer. | Nov 4 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 25–May 20 | 224 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jun 26 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 15 | May 13–May 13 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 13. | Jun 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 | Apr 22–May 6 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 22. | Jul 24 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 11 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 217 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 1. | Jul 13 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 13. | Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 126 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 126 available after May 13. | Jun 24 |
| Okra | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 20–May 20 | 133 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 20. | Jul 18 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1–Apr 22 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Parsley | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 168 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after May 6. | Jul 29 |
| Celery | Feb 18 | May 6–May 20 | 168 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 168 available after May 6. | Jun 9 |
| Scallions | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 23 |
| Collards | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 126 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 13. | Jun 9 |
| Chives | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Oregano | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after May 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after May 6. | — |
| Sage | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after May 6. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 6. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Cosmos | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Lavender | Feb 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 6 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Melons | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 126 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 13. | Jun 9 |
| Mint | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 147 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 147 available after May 6. | Jul 13 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 133 available after May 13. | Jun 11 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 29. | Jul 8 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 6. | Jun 19 |
| Watermelon | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 6. | Jun 14 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Zinnias | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
Month by month in Elkhart
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 4), Lavender (Feb 4), Onion (Feb 4), Rosemary (Feb 4), Celery (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), Sage (Mar 4), Swiss Chard (Mar 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 4), Beets (Mar 4), Dill (Mar 4), Peas (Mar 4), Radish (Mar 4), Spinach (Mar 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 25). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Corn (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Okra (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 1), Turnip (Apr 1), Carrots (Apr 8), Potatoes (Apr 15), Sunflowers (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 1), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 1), Cabbage (Apr 1), Collards (Apr 1), Kale (Apr 1), Lettuce (Apr 1), +12 more. Last frost around April 29. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 6), Pole Beans (May 6). Transplant from: Celery (May 6), Chives (May 6), Corn (May 6), Okra (May 6), Oregano (May 6), Parsley (May 6), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 1), Pumpkin (Jun 1), Cantaloupe (Jun 9), Celery (Jun 9), Melons (Jun 9), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 11), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 8), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 13), Pole Beans (Jul 13), Basil (Jul 18), Cosmos (Jul 18), Cucumber (Jul 18), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 3), Cabbage (Aug 12), Carrots (Aug 12), Beets (Aug 13), Dill (Aug 13), Swiss Chard (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 1), Arugula (Sep 11), Spinach (Sep 11), Radish (Sep 12). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 14). First frost around October 14. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 4). |
| 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 Elkhart, IN (ZIP 46516)?
The median last spring frost date for Elkhart, IN (ZIP code 46516) is around April 29. 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 15; one in ten it runs past May 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Elkhart, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Elkhart, IN is around October 14. 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 Elkhart, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Elkhart is about 168 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 Elkhart (168 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 Elkhart, IN?
Elkhart, 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 Elkhart, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in Elkhart. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Elkhart?
Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21.
When do I plant garlic in Elkhart?
Oct 14 to Nov 4; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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