Frost Dates for Indianapolis, IN 46259
Indianapolis has 38 ZIP codes. The Indianapolis, IN frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 22 · First fall frost October 15 · 176 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46259 has about 15,200 people, one of 38 ZIP codes in Indianapolis.
Moderate season: 176 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 7–May 7 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–October 30 (29 days).
Frost probability for 46259
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 7 | April 22 | April 7 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 15 | October 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GREENFIELD (24.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 176-day season in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis (176 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 | 134 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 134 available after May 6. | Jun 15 |
| Pepper | Mar 11 | May 6–May 13 | 134 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after May 6. | Jun 20 |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 1. | Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Peas | — | Feb 25–May 6 | 239 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 239 available after Feb 25. | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Onion | Jan 28 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 211 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 25–Apr 15 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 25. | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 225 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 25. | Aug 13 |
| Radish | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Oct 22. | Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 15 | 281 | overwinter: Plant Oct 15 to Nov 5; harvest the following summer. | Nov 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 18–May 13 | 232 | 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 | 148 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 29. | Jun 27 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 8 | May 6–May 6 | 141 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 141 available after May 6. | Jun 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 15. | Jul 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 8 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 225 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 25. | Jul 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 141 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 141 available after May 6. | Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 134 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 134 available after May 6. | Jun 25 |
| Okra | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Basil | Mar 18 | May 13–May 13 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 25–Apr 15 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Parsley | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 29. | Jul 30 |
| Celery | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 13 | 176 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 29. | Jun 10 |
| Scallions | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Collards | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 134 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 134 available after May 6. | Jun 10 |
| Chives | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Oregano | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Sage | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Cosmos | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Lavender | Jan 28 | Apr 22–May 6 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Melons | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 134 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 134 available after May 6. | Jun 10 |
| Mint | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 155 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 29. | Jul 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 141 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 6. | Jun 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 22. | Jul 9 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 29. | Jun 20 |
| Watermelon | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 141 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 29. | Jun 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Zinnias | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
Month by month in Indianapolis
| 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 2), Pumpkin (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 10), Celery (Jun 10), Melons (Jun 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 12), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 14), Pole Beans (Jul 14), Basil (Jul 19), Cosmos (Jul 19), Cucumber (Jul 19), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 4), Cabbage (Aug 13), Carrots (Aug 13), Beets (Aug 14), Dill (Aug 14), Swiss Chard (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 2), Arugula (Sep 12), Spinach (Sep 12), Radish (Sep 13). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 15). First frost around October 15. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 5). |
| 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 46259)?
The median last spring frost date for Indianapolis, IN (ZIP code 46259) 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 7; one in ten it runs past May 7.
What is the first fall frost date in Indianapolis, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Indianapolis, IN is around October 15. 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 176 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 (176 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 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 18 and plant out May 6 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 25 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22.
When do I plant garlic in Indianapolis?
Oct 15 to Nov 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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