Frost Dates for Muncie, IN 47304
Last spring frost April 25 · First fall frost October 12 · 170 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 47304 has about 31,200 people, the largest of 5 ZIP codes in Muncie.
Moderate season: 170 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 10–May 11 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 26–October 27 (31 days).
Frost probability for 47304
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 11 | April 25 | April 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 26 | October 12 | October 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HARTFORD CITY 4 ESE (26.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Muncie, IN
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47304 | April 25 | October 12 | 6a |
| 47302 | April 26 | October 12 | 6a |
| 47303 | April 26 | October 11 | 6a |
| 47306 | April 26 | October 11 | 6a |
| 47305 | April 26 | October 11 | 6a |
Which crops fit a 170-day season in Muncie
In Muncie (170 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 21 | May 9–May 16 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jun 12 |
| Pepper | Mar 14 | May 9–May 16 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jun 17 |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 4. | Aug 10 |
| Cucumber | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Beans | — | May 2–May 16 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Peas | — | Feb 28–May 9 | 233 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 233 available after Feb 28. | Aug 1 |
| Zucchini | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Onion | Jan 31 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 205 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 28–Apr 18 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Kale | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 205 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 28. | Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 28. | Aug 10 |
| Radish | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Oct 19. | Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 12 | 275 | overwinter: Plant Oct 12 to Nov 2; harvest the following summer. | Nov 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 21–May 16 | 226 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 2. | Jun 24 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 11 | May 9–May 9 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | May 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 | Apr 18–May 2 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 18. | Jul 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 28. | Jul 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | May 30 |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jun 22 |
| Okra | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Basil | Mar 21 | May 16–May 16 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 28–Apr 18 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Parsley | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after May 2. | Jul 27 |
| Celery | Feb 14 | May 2–May 16 | 170 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 170 available after May 2. | Jun 7 |
| Scallions | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Collards | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jun 7 |
| Chives | Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Oregano | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after May 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after May 2. | — |
| Sage | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after May 2. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 2. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Cosmos | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Lavender | Jan 31 | Apr 25–May 9 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 2 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Melons | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jun 7 |
| Mint | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 2–May 16 | 149 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 149 available after May 2. | Jul 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | Jun 9 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 25. | Jul 6 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 2. | Jun 17 |
| Watermelon | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 2. | Jun 12 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Zinnias | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
Month by month in Muncie
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 31), Lavender (Jan 31), Onion (Jan 31), Rosemary (Jan 31). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 14), Collards (Feb 14), Kale (Feb 14), Oregano (Feb 14), Parsley (Feb 14), Scallions (Feb 14), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 28), Beets (Feb 28), Dill (Feb 28), Peas (Feb 28), Radish (Feb 28), Spinach (Feb 28). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 7), Calendula (Mar 14), Cauliflower (Mar 14), Marigolds (Mar 14), Pepper (Mar 14), Basil (Mar 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 14), Cilantro (Mar 28), Turnip (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 28), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 28), Cabbage (Mar 28), Collards (Mar 28), Kale (Mar 28), Lettuce (Mar 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 21). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 4), Butternut Squash (Apr 11), Cantaloupe (Apr 11), Melons (Apr 11), Pumpkin (Apr 11), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 11), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 4), Potatoes (Apr 11), Sunflowers (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 11), Swiss Chard (Apr 11), Bok Choy (Apr 18), Cauliflower (Apr 18), Cosmos (Apr 25), Lavender (Apr 25), +4 more. Last frost around April 25. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 2), Pole Beans (May 2). Transplant from: Celery (May 2), Chives (May 2), Corn (May 2), Okra (May 2), Oregano (May 2), Parsley (May 2), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 30), Pumpkin (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 7), Celery (Jun 7), Melons (Jun 7), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 9), Tomato (Jun 12), Watermelon (Jun 12), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 11), Pole Beans (Jul 11), Basil (Jul 16), Cosmos (Jul 16), Cucumber (Jul 16), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 1), Cabbage (Aug 10), Carrots (Aug 10), Beets (Aug 11), Dill (Aug 11), Swiss Chard (Aug 11), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 9), Spinach (Sep 9), Radish (Sep 10). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 12). First frost around October 12. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 2). |
| 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 47304)?
The median last spring frost date for Muncie, IN (ZIP code 47304) is around April 25. 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 10; 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 12. 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 26 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 170 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 (170 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 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 21 and plant out May 9 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 28 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19.
When do I plant garlic in Muncie?
Oct 12 to Nov 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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