Frost Dates for Michigan City, IN 46360
Last spring frost April 27 · First fall frost October 17 · 173 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46360 has about 43,800 people.
Moderate season: 173 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 11 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans October 2–October 31 (29 days).
Frost probability for 46360
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 11 | April 27 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 2 | October 17 | October 31 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at VALPARAISO WTR WKS (24.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 173-day season in Michigan City
In Michigan City (173 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 23 | May 11–May 18 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 11. | Jun 17 |
| Pepper | Mar 16 | May 11–May 18 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 11. | Jun 22 |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 6. | Aug 15 |
| Cucumber | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Peas | — | Mar 2–May 11 | 236 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 2. | Aug 6 |
| Zucchini | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Onion | Feb 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 2–Apr 20 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 30. | Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 30. | Aug 15 |
| Radish | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Oct 24. | Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 17 | 278 | overwinter: Plant Oct 17 to Nov 7; harvest the following summer. | Nov 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 23–May 18 | 229 | 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 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after May 4. | Jun 29 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 13 | May 11–May 11 | 138 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 138 available after May 11. | Jun 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 | Apr 20–May 4 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 20. | Jul 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 222 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 30. | Jul 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 138 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 138 available after May 11. | Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 131 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 131 available after May 11. | Jun 27 |
| Okra | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Basil | Mar 23 | May 18–May 18 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 30–Apr 20 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Parsley | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after May 4. | Aug 1 |
| Celery | Feb 16 | May 4–May 18 | 173 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 173 available after May 4. | Jun 12 |
| Scallions | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Collards | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 131 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 131 available after May 11. | Jun 12 |
| Chives | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after May 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Oregano | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after May 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 4. | — |
| Sage | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after May 4. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after May 4. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Cosmos | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Lavender | Feb 2 | Apr 27–May 11 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 16 | Apr 27–May 4 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Melons | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 131 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 131 available after May 11. | Jun 12 |
| Mint | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 152 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 152 available after May 4. | Jul 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 138 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 138 available after May 11. | Jun 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 27. | Jul 11 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 4. | Jun 22 |
| Watermelon | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 4. | Jun 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Zinnias | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
Month by month in Michigan City
| 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. |
| 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 Michigan City, IN (ZIP 46360)?
The median last spring frost date for Michigan City, IN (ZIP code 46360) 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Michigan City, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Michigan City, 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 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Michigan City, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Michigan City is about 173 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 Michigan City (173 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 Michigan City, IN?
Michigan City, 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 Michigan City, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 23 and plant out May 11 in Michigan City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Michigan City?
Two: plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.
When do I plant garlic in Michigan City?
Oct 17 to Nov 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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