Frost Dates for Muncie, IN 47303
Muncie has 5 ZIP codes. The Muncie, IN frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 11 · 168 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 47303 has about 24,400 people, one of 5 ZIP codes in Muncie.
Moderate season: 168 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 12–May 11 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 26 (31 days).
Frost probability for 47303
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 11 | April 26 | April 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 11 | October 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MUNCIE BALL STATE UNIV (6.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 168-day season in Muncie
In Muncie (168 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 22 | May 10–May 17 | 126 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 126 available after May 10. | Jun 11 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 126 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 10. | Jun 16 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 5. | Aug 9 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 231 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 1. | Jul 31 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 29. | Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 29. | Aug 9 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Oct 18. | Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 11 | 273 | overwinter: Plant Oct 11 to Nov 1; harvest the following summer. | Nov 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 224 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 3. | Jun 23 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 10. | May 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 19. | Jul 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 217 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 29. | Jul 10 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 10. | May 29 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 126 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 126 available after May 10. | Jun 21 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 133 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 17. | Jul 15 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 168 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after May 3. | Jul 26 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 168 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 168 available after May 3. | Jun 6 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 126 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 10. | Jun 6 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 25 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 126 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 10. | Jun 6 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 147 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 147 available after May 3. | Jul 10 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 133 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 133 available after May 10. | Jun 8 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 26. | Jul 5 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 3. | Jun 16 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 3. | Jun 11 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
Month by month in Muncie
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Onion (Feb 1), Rosemary (Feb 1), Celery (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), Sage (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 1), Beets (Mar 1), Dill (Mar 1), Peas (Mar 1), Radish (Mar 1), Spinach (Mar 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 29), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 29), Cabbage (Mar 29), Collards (Mar 29), Kale (Mar 29), Lettuce (Mar 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 5), Butternut Squash (Apr 12), Cantaloupe (Apr 12), Melons (Apr 12), Pumpkin (Apr 12), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 5), Potatoes (Apr 12), Sunflowers (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 12), Swiss Chard (Apr 12), Bok Choy (Apr 19), Cauliflower (Apr 19), Cosmos (Apr 26), Lavender (Apr 26), +4 more. Last frost around April 26. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 3), Pole Beans (May 3). Transplant from: Celery (May 3), Chives (May 3), Corn (May 3), Okra (May 3), Oregano (May 3), Parsley (May 3), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 29), Pumpkin (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 6), Celery (Jun 6), Melons (Jun 6), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 8), Tomato (Jun 11), Watermelon (Jun 11), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 5), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 10), Pole Beans (Jul 10), Basil (Jul 15), Cosmos (Jul 15), Cucumber (Jul 15), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 9), Carrots (Aug 9), Beets (Aug 10), Dill (Aug 10), Swiss Chard (Aug 10), Calendula (Aug 15), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 8), Spinach (Sep 8), Radish (Sep 9). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 11). First frost around October 11. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 1). |
| 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 Muncie, IN (ZIP 47303)?
The median last spring frost date for Muncie, IN (ZIP code 47303) is around April 26. 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 12; one in ten it runs past May 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Muncie, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Muncie, IN is around October 11. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Muncie, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Muncie is about 168 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 Muncie (168 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 Muncie, IN?
Muncie, 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 Muncie, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 in Muncie. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Muncie?
Two: plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18.
When do I plant garlic in Muncie?
Oct 11 to Nov 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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