Frost Dates for Indianapolis, IN 46226
Indianapolis has 38 ZIP codes. The Indianapolis, IN frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 18 · First fall frost October 16 · 181 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46226 has about 47,100 people, one of 38 ZIP codes in Indianapolis.
Long season: 181 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 5–May 4 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–October 31 (30 days).
Frost probability for 46226
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 4 | April 18 | April 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 16 | October 31 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at INDIANAPOLIS SE SIDE (13.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 181-day season in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis (181 frost-free days, a long 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 14 | May 2–May 9 | 139 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 139 available after May 2. | Jun 16 |
| Pepper | Mar 7 | May 2–May 9 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 2. | Jun 21 |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 223 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 28. | Aug 14 |
| Cucumber | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Peas | — | Feb 21–May 2 | 244 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 244 available after Feb 21. | Aug 5 |
| Zucchini | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Onion | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 216 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 21–Apr 11 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Kale | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 216 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 21. | Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 21. | Aug 14 |
| Radish | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Oct 23. | Sep 14 |
| Beets | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 16 | 286 | overwinter: Plant Oct 16 to Nov 6; harvest the following summer. | Nov 6 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 14–May 9 | 237 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 25. | Jun 28 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 4 | May 2–May 2 | 146 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 146 available after May 2. | Jun 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 11. | Jul 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 4 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 230 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 21. | Jul 15 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 146 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 146 available after May 2. | Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 2. | Jun 26 |
| Okra | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Basil | Mar 14 | May 9–May 9 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 21–Apr 11 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Parsley | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 25. | Jul 31 |
| Celery | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 9 | 181 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 25. | Jun 11 |
| Scallions | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Collards | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 139 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 139 available after May 2. | Jun 11 |
| Chives | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 195 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Oregano | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Sage | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 195 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Cosmos | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Lavender | Jan 24 | Apr 18–May 2 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Melons | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 139 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 139 available after May 2. | Jun 11 |
| Mint | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 160 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 25. | Jul 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 2. | Jun 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 18. | Jul 10 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 25. | Jun 21 |
| Watermelon | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 25. | Jun 16 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Zinnias | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
Month by month in Indianapolis
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 24), Lavender (Jan 24), Onion (Jan 24), Rosemary (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 7), Collards (Feb 7), Kale (Feb 7), Oregano (Feb 7), Parsley (Feb 7), Scallions (Feb 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 21), Beets (Feb 21), Dill (Feb 21), Peas (Feb 21), Radish (Feb 21), Spinach (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 7), Cauliflower (Mar 7), Marigolds (Mar 7), Pepper (Mar 7), Basil (Mar 14), Tomato (Mar 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 7), Cilantro (Mar 21), Turnip (Mar 21), Carrots (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 21), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 21), Cabbage (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), Kale (Mar 21), Lettuce (Mar 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 14). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 4), Cantaloupe (Apr 4), Melons (Apr 4), Pumpkin (Apr 4), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 4), Watermelon (Apr 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 4), Sunflowers (Apr 18), Beans (Apr 25), Pole Beans (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Cauliflower (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 18), Lavender (Apr 18), +15 more. Last frost around April 18. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 2), Cantaloupe (May 2), Cucumber (May 2), Eggplant (May 2), Melons (May 2), Pepper (May 2), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 3), Pumpkin (Jun 3), Cantaloupe (Jun 11), Celery (Jun 11), Melons (Jun 11), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 13), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 10), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 15), Pole Beans (Jul 15), Basil (Jul 20), Cosmos (Jul 20), Cucumber (Jul 20), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 5), Cabbage (Aug 14), Carrots (Aug 14), Beets (Aug 15), Dill (Aug 15), Swiss Chard (Aug 15), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 3), Arugula (Sep 13), Spinach (Sep 13), Radish (Sep 14). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 16). First frost around October 16. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 6). |
| 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 Indianapolis, IN (ZIP 46226)?
The median last spring frost date for Indianapolis, IN (ZIP code 46226) is around April 18. 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 5; one in ten it runs past May 4.
What is the first fall frost date in Indianapolis, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Indianapolis, IN is around October 16. 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 Indianapolis, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Indianapolis is about 181 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 Indianapolis (181 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Indianapolis, IN?
Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 14 and plant out May 2 in Indianapolis. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Indianapolis?
Two: plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23.
When do I plant garlic in Indianapolis?
Oct 16 to Nov 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Indianapolis?
Yes: plant out May 2 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 16 for a fall crop.
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