Frost Dates for Fortville, IN 46040
Last spring frost April 22 · First fall frost October 17 · 178 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46040 has about 15,900 people.
Moderate season: 178 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 6–May 7 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–November 2 (32 days).
Frost probability for 46040
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 7 | April 22 | April 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 17 | November 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GREENFIELD (17.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 178-day season in Fortville
In Fortville (178 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 18 | May 6–May 13 | 136 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 136 available after May 6. | Jun 17 |
| Pepper | Mar 11 | May 6–May 13 | 136 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 6. | Jun 22 |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 220 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 1. | Aug 15 |
| Cucumber | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Peas | — | Feb 25–May 6 | 241 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 241 available after Feb 25. | Aug 6 |
| Zucchini | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Onion | Jan 28 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 213 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 25–Apr 15 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 25. | Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 227 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 25. | Aug 15 |
| Radish | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Oct 24. | Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 17 | 283 | overwinter: Plant Oct 17 to Nov 7; harvest the following summer. | Nov 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 18–May 13 | 234 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 18; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 150 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 29. | Jun 29 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 8 | May 6–May 6 | 143 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 6. | Jun 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 15. | Jul 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 8 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 227 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 25. | Jul 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 143 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 6. | Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 136 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 136 available after May 6. | Jun 27 |
| Okra | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Basil | Mar 18 | May 13–May 13 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 25–Apr 15 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Parsley | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 29. | Aug 1 |
| Celery | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 13 | 178 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 29. | Jun 12 |
| Scallions | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Collards | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 136 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 136 available after May 6. | Jun 12 |
| Chives | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Oregano | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Sage | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Cosmos | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Lavender | Jan 28 | Apr 22–May 6 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Melons | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 136 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 136 available after May 6. | Jun 12 |
| Mint | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 157 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 29. | Jul 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 143 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 143 available after May 6. | Jun 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 164 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 22. | Jul 11 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 143 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 29. | Jun 22 |
| Watermelon | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 29. | Jun 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Zinnias | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
Month by month in Fortville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 28), Lavender (Jan 28), Onion (Jan 28), Rosemary (Jan 28). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 11), Collards (Feb 11), Kale (Feb 11), Oregano (Feb 11), Parsley (Feb 11), Scallions (Feb 11), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 25), Beets (Feb 25), Dill (Feb 25), Peas (Feb 25), Radish (Feb 25), Spinach (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 4), Calendula (Mar 11), Cauliflower (Mar 11), Marigolds (Mar 11), Pepper (Mar 11), Basil (Mar 18), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 11), Cilantro (Mar 25), Turnip (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 25), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 25), Cabbage (Mar 25), Collards (Mar 25), Kale (Mar 25), Lettuce (Mar 25), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 1), Butternut Squash (Apr 8), Cantaloupe (Apr 8), Melons (Apr 8), Pumpkin (Apr 8), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 8), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 1), Potatoes (Apr 8), Sunflowers (Apr 22), Beans (Apr 29), Pole Beans (Apr 29). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 8), Swiss Chard (Apr 8), Bok Choy (Apr 15), Cauliflower (Apr 15), Cosmos (Apr 22), Lavender (Apr 22), +15 more. Last frost around April 22. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 6), Cantaloupe (May 6), Cucumber (May 6), Eggplant (May 6), Melons (May 6), Pepper (May 6), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 4), Pumpkin (Jun 4), Cantaloupe (Jun 12), Celery (Jun 12), Melons (Jun 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 14), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 16), Pole Beans (Jul 16), Basil (Jul 21), Cosmos (Jul 21), Cucumber (Jul 21), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Aug 1), Peas (Aug 6), Cabbage (Aug 15), Carrots (Aug 15), Beets (Aug 16), Dill (Aug 16), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 4), Arugula (Sep 14), Spinach (Sep 14), Radish (Sep 15). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 17). First frost around October 17. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 7). |
| 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 Fortville, IN (ZIP 46040)?
The median last spring frost date for Fortville, IN (ZIP code 46040) is around April 22. 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 6; one in ten it runs past May 7.
What is the first fall frost date in Fortville, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Fortville, IN is around October 17. 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 October 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Fortville, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Fortville is about 178 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 Fortville (178 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 Fortville, IN?
Fortville, 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 Fortville, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 18 and plant out May 6 in Fortville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Fortville?
Two: plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.
When do I plant garlic in Fortville?
Oct 17 to Nov 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Mccordsville, IN 46055 (4.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Pendleton, IN 46064 (6.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Fishers, IN 46037 (6.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Indianapolis, IN 46236 (7.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Greenfield, IN 46140 (9.2 mi)
- 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