Frost Dates for Griffith, IN 46319

Last spring frost May 2 · First fall frost October 13 · 164 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a

ZIP 46319 has about 17,800 people.

Moderate season: 164 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 16–May 18 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 28–October 29 (31 days).

Frost probability for 46319

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 18May 2April 16
Fall (first frost)September 28October 13October 29

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LOWELL (28.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 164-day season in Griffith

In Griffith (164 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 28May 16–May 23122fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 16.Jun 13
PepperMar 21May 16–May 23122fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 16.Jun 18
LettuceMar 7Apr 4–Apr 11199two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 22
Carrots—Apr 11–Apr 18206fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 11.Aug 11
CucumberApr 11May 16–May 23136two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29.Jul 17
Beans—May 9–May 23150two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6.Jul 24
Peas—Mar 7–May 16227fits: 65 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 7.Aug 2
ZucchiniApr 18May 16–May 23136two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29.Jul 22
OnionFeb 7Apr 4–Apr 18199fits: 100 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 4.—
Spinach—Mar 7–Apr 25241two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3.Sep 10
KaleFeb 21Apr 4–Apr 18213two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3.Aug 26
BroccoliMar 7Apr 4–Apr 18199fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 4.Jul 18
CabbageMar 7Apr 4–Apr 18213fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 4.Aug 11
Radish—Mar 7–May 30227two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Oct 20.Sep 11
Beets—Mar 7–May 30227two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
Potatoes—Apr 18–Apr 25185fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 18.—
Garlic—Oct 13269overwinter: Plant Oct 13 to Nov 3; harvest the following summer.Nov 3
Strawberry—Mar 28–May 23220perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 4May 9–May 16136fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 9.Jun 25
PumpkinApr 18May 16–May 16129fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 16.May 31
CauliflowerMar 21Apr 25–May 9178fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 25.Jul 23
Swiss ChardMar 7Apr 18–Apr 18185two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
Arugula—Mar 7–May 30241two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3.Sep 10
Brussel SproutsMar 7Apr 4–Apr 18213fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 4.Jul 12
Butternut SquashApr 18May 16–May 23129fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 16.May 31
EggplantMar 14May 16–May 23122fits: 70 days to maturity, 122 available after May 16.Jun 23
OkraApr 4May 9–May 16143two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29.Jul 22
BasilMar 28May 23–May 23129fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 23.Jul 17
Cilantro—Apr 4–Apr 25199two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 17
ParsleyFeb 21May 9–May 16164fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after May 9.Jul 28
CeleryFeb 21May 9–May 23164fits: 120 days to maturity, 164 available after May 9.Jun 8
ScallionsFeb 21Apr 4–Apr 18213two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3.Aug 21
Turnip—Apr 4–Apr 18213two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3.Aug 31
Kohlrabi—Mar 21–Apr 4227two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3.Aug 26
Bok ChoyApr 4Apr 25–May 2178two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 22
CollardsFeb 21Apr 4–Apr 18213two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3.Aug 21
CantaloupeApr 18May 16–May 23122fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 16.Jun 8
ChivesFeb 7May 9–May 16178fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 9.—
Dill—Mar 7–May 30227two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
OreganoFeb 21May 9–May 16178fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after May 9.—
RosemaryFeb 7May 9–May 16164fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after May 9.—
SageMar 7May 9–May 16178fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after May 9.—
ThymeFeb 21May 9–May 16178fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 9.—
CalendulaMar 21Apr 18–May 2185two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 17
CosmosApr 4May 2–May 16150two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29.Jul 17
LavenderFeb 7May 2–May 16185fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after May 2.—
MarigoldsMar 21May 2–May 9150two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29.Jul 27
MelonsApr 18May 16–May 23122fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 16.Jun 8
Mint—May 2–May 16185fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after May 2.—
NasturtiumsApr 4May 2–May 9150two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29.Jul 22
Pole Beans—May 9–May 23143fits: 65 days to maturity, 143 available after May 9.Jul 12
Spaghetti SquashApr 18May 16–May 23129fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after May 16.Jun 10
Sunflowers—May 2–May 16150fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 2.Jul 7
TomatillosMar 7May 9–May 16129fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 9.Jun 18
WatermelonApr 18May 9–May 16129fits: 80 days to maturity, 129 available after May 9.Jun 13
Yellow SquashApr 18May 16–May 23136two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29.Jul 22
ZinniasApr 4May 2–May 16150two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29.Jul 17

Month by month in Griffith

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 7), Lavender (Feb 7), Onion (Feb 7), Rosemary (Feb 7), Celery (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), Sage (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 7), Beets (Mar 7), Dill (Mar 7), Peas (Mar 7), Radish (Mar 7), Spinach (Mar 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 28).
AprilStart indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 4), Turnip (Apr 4), Carrots (Apr 11), Potatoes (Apr 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), +6 more.
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 2), Beans (May 9), Pole Beans (May 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 2), Lavender (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Mint (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +23 more. Last frost around May 2. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 31), Pumpkin (May 31).
JuneLast sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 8), Celery (Jun 8), Melons (Jun 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 10), Tomato (Jun 13), Watermelon (Jun 13), +4 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 12), Pole Beans (Jul 12), Basil (Jul 17), Cosmos (Jul 17), Cucumber (Jul 17), +10 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Peas (Aug 2), Cabbage (Aug 11), Carrots (Aug 11), Beets (Aug 12), Dill (Aug 12), Swiss Chard (Aug 12), +9 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 10), Spinach (Sep 10), Radish (Sep 11).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 13). First frost around October 13.
NovemberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 3).
DecemberClean 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 Griffith, IN (ZIP 46319)?

The median last spring frost date for Griffith, IN (ZIP code 46319) is around May 2. 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 16; one in ten it runs past May 18.

What is the first fall frost date in Griffith, IN?

The median first fall frost date for Griffith, 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 Griffith, IN?

The frost-free growing season in Griffith is about 164 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 Griffith (164 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 Griffith, IN?

Griffith, 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 Griffith, IN?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 28 and plant out May 16 in Griffith. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Griffith?

Two: plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20.

When do I plant garlic in Griffith?

Oct 13 to Nov 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

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