Frost Dates for Kokomo, IN 46901
Last spring frost April 27 · First fall frost October 9 · 165 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46901 has about 38,100 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Kokomo.
Moderate season: 165 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 11–May 12 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 27–October 22 (25 days).
Frost probability for 46901
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | April 27 | April 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 27 | October 9 | October 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ELWOOD (37.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Kokomo, IN
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46901 | April 27 | October 9 | 6a |
| 46902 | April 27 | October 9 | 6a |
Which crops fit a 165-day season in Kokomo
In Kokomo (165 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 23 | May 11–May 18 | 123 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jun 9 |
| Pepper | Mar 16 | May 11–May 18 | 123 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jun 14 |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 6. | Aug 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Peas | — | Mar 2–May 11 | 228 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 2. | Jul 29 |
| Zucchini | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Onion | Feb 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 200 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 200 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 2–Apr 20 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Kale | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Mar 30. | Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 30. | Aug 7 |
| Radish | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16. | Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 9 | 270 | overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer. | Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 23–May 18 | 221 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 4. | Jun 21 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 13 | May 11–May 11 | 130 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 130 available after May 11. | May 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 | Apr 20–May 4 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 20. | Jul 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 214 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 30. | Jul 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 130 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 130 available after May 11. | May 27 |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 123 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jun 19 |
| Okra | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Basil | Mar 23 | May 18–May 18 | 130 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 18. | Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 30–Apr 20 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after May 4. | Jul 24 |
| Celery | Feb 16 | May 4–May 18 | 165 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 165 available after May 4. | Jun 4 |
| Scallions | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Collards | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 123 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jun 4 |
| Chives | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after May 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Oregano | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after May 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after May 4. | — |
| Sage | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after May 4. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after May 4. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Cosmos | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Lavender | Feb 2 | Apr 27–May 11 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 16 | Apr 27–May 4 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 23 |
| Melons | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 123 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jun 4 |
| Mint | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 144 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 144 available after May 4. | Jul 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 130 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 130 available after May 11. | Jun 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 151 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 27. | Jul 3 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 130 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 130 available after May 4. | Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 130 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 130 available after May 4. | Jun 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Zinnias | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
Month by month in Kokomo
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 2), Lavender (Feb 2), Onion (Feb 2), Rosemary (Feb 2), Celery (Feb 16), Collards (Feb 16), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), Sage (Mar 2), Swiss Chard (Mar 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 2), Beets (Mar 2), Dill (Mar 2), Peas (Mar 2), Radish (Mar 2), Spinach (Mar 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 30), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 30), Cabbage (Mar 30), Collards (Mar 30), Kale (Mar 30), Lettuce (Mar 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 23). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 6), Butternut Squash (Apr 13), Cantaloupe (Apr 13), Melons (Apr 13), Pumpkin (Apr 13), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 6), Potatoes (Apr 13), Sunflowers (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 13), Swiss Chard (Apr 13), Bok Choy (Apr 20), Cauliflower (Apr 20), Cosmos (Apr 27), Lavender (Apr 27), +4 more. Last frost around April 27. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 4), Pole Beans (May 4). Transplant from: Celery (May 4), Chives (May 4), Corn (May 4), Okra (May 4), Oregano (May 4), Parsley (May 4), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 27), Pumpkin (May 27). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Celery (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 6), Tomato (Jun 9), Watermelon (Jun 9), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 8), Pole Beans (Jul 8), Basil (Jul 13), Cosmos (Jul 13), Cucumber (Jul 13), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 7), Carrots (Aug 7), Beets (Aug 8), Dill (Aug 8), Swiss Chard (Aug 8), Calendula (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 6), Spinach (Sep 6), Radish (Sep 7). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 9). First frost around October 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 30). |
| 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 Kokomo, IN (ZIP 46901)?
The median last spring frost date for Kokomo, IN (ZIP code 46901) is around April 27. 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 11; one in ten it runs past May 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Kokomo, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Kokomo, IN is around October 9. 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 27 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Kokomo, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Kokomo is about 165 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 Kokomo (165 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 Kokomo, IN?
Kokomo, 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 Kokomo, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 23 and plant out May 11 in Kokomo. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Kokomo?
Two: plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.
When do I plant garlic in Kokomo?
Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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