Frost Dates for Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 10 · 167 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46814 has about 16,800 people, one of 16 ZIP codes in Fort Wayne.
Moderate season: 167 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 12–May 9 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 26 (31 days).
Frost probability for 46814
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 26 | April 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 10 | October 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FT WAYNE AP (11.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 167-day season in Fort Wayne
In Fort Wayne (167 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 22 | May 10–May 17 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 10. | Jun 10 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 10. | Jun 15 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 5. | Aug 8 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 230 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 1. | Jul 30 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 29. | Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 216 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 29. | Aug 8 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Oct 17. | Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 10 | 272 | overwinter: Plant Oct 10 to Oct 31; harvest the following summer. | Oct 31 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 223 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 3. | Jun 22 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 132 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 132 available after May 10. | May 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 19. | Jul 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 216 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 29. | Jul 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 132 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 132 available after May 10. | May 28 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after May 10. | Jun 20 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 17. | Jul 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after May 3. | Jul 25 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 167 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 167 available after May 3. | Jun 5 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 125 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 125 available after May 10. | Jun 5 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 125 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 125 available after May 10. | Jun 5 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 146 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 146 available after May 3. | Jul 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after May 10. | Jun 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 26. | Jul 4 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 3. | Jun 15 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after May 3. | Jun 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
Month by month in Fort Wayne
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Onion (Feb 1), Rosemary (Feb 1), Celery (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), Sage (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 1), Beets (Mar 1), Dill (Mar 1), Peas (Mar 1), Radish (Mar 1), Spinach (Mar 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 29), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 29), Cabbage (Mar 29), Collards (Mar 29), Kale (Mar 29), Lettuce (Mar 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 5), Butternut Squash (Apr 12), Cantaloupe (Apr 12), Melons (Apr 12), Pumpkin (Apr 12), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 5), Potatoes (Apr 12), Sunflowers (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 12), Swiss Chard (Apr 12), Bok Choy (Apr 19), Cauliflower (Apr 19), Cosmos (Apr 26), Lavender (Apr 26), +4 more. Last frost around April 26. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 3), Pole Beans (May 3). Transplant from: Celery (May 3), Chives (May 3), Corn (May 3), Okra (May 3), Oregano (May 3), Parsley (May 3), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 28), Pumpkin (May 28). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Celery (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 7), Tomato (Jun 10), Watermelon (Jun 10), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 9), Pole Beans (Jul 9), Basil (Jul 14), Cosmos (Jul 14), Cucumber (Jul 14), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 8), Carrots (Aug 8), Beets (Aug 9), Dill (Aug 9), Swiss Chard (Aug 9), Calendula (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 7), Spinach (Sep 7), Radish (Sep 8). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 10). First frost around October 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 31). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Fort Wayne, IN (ZIP 46814)?
The median last spring frost date for Fort Wayne, IN (ZIP code 46814) is around April 26. 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 12; one in ten it runs past May 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Fort Wayne, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Fort Wayne, IN is around October 10. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Fort Wayne, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Fort Wayne is about 167 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 Fort Wayne (167 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 Fort Wayne, IN?
Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 in Fort Wayne. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Fort Wayne?
Two: plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17.
When do I plant garlic in Fort Wayne?
Oct 10 to Oct 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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