Frost Dates for Richmond, IN 47374

Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 10 · 164 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a

ZIP 47374 has about 44,600 people.

Moderate season: 164 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 12–May 14 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 24 (29 days).

Frost probability for 47374

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 14April 29April 12
Fall (first frost)September 25October 10October 24

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at EATON (24.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 164-day season in Richmond

In Richmond (164 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 25May 13–May 20122fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 13.Jun 10
PepperMar 18May 13–May 20122fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 13.Jun 15
LettuceMar 4Apr 1–Apr 8199two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17.Aug 19
Carrots—Apr 8–Apr 15206fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 8.Aug 8
CucumberApr 8May 13–May 20136two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 14
Beans—May 6–May 20150two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 21
Peas—Mar 4–May 13227fits: 65 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 4.Jul 30
ZucchiniApr 15May 13–May 20136two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 19
OnionFeb 4Apr 1–Apr 15199fits: 100 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 1.—
Spinach—Mar 4–Apr 22241two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31.Sep 7
KaleFeb 18Apr 1–Apr 15213two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31.Aug 23
BroccoliMar 4Apr 1–Apr 15199fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 1.Jul 15
CabbageMar 4Apr 1–Apr 15213fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 1.Aug 8
Radish—Mar 4–May 27227two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Oct 17.Sep 8
Beets—Mar 4–May 27227two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17.Aug 9
Potatoes—Apr 15–Apr 22185fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 15.—
Garlic—Oct 10269overwinter: Plant Oct 10 to Oct 31; harvest the following summer.Oct 31
Strawberry—Mar 25–May 20220perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 1May 6–May 13136fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 6.Jun 22
PumpkinApr 15May 13–May 13129fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 13.May 28
CauliflowerMar 18Apr 22–May 6178fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 22.Jul 20
Swiss ChardMar 4Apr 15–Apr 15185two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17.Aug 9
Arugula—Mar 4–May 27241two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31.Sep 7
Brussel SproutsMar 4Apr 1–Apr 15213fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 1.Jul 9
Butternut SquashApr 15May 13–May 20129fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 13.May 28
EggplantMar 11May 13–May 20122fits: 70 days to maturity, 122 available after May 13.Jun 20
OkraApr 1May 6–May 13143two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 19
BasilMar 25May 20–May 20129fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 20.Jul 14
Cilantro—Apr 1–Apr 22199two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17.Aug 14
ParsleyFeb 18May 6–May 13164fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after May 6.Jul 25
CeleryFeb 18May 6–May 20164fits: 120 days to maturity, 164 available after May 6.Jun 5
ScallionsFeb 18Apr 1–Apr 15213two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31.Aug 18
Turnip—Apr 1–Apr 15213two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31.Aug 28
Kohlrabi—Mar 18–Apr 1227two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31.Aug 23
Bok ChoyApr 1Apr 22–Apr 29178two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17.Aug 19
CollardsFeb 18Apr 1–Apr 15213two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31.Aug 18
CantaloupeApr 15May 13–May 20122fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 13.Jun 5
ChivesFeb 4May 6–May 13178fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 6.—
Dill—Mar 4–May 27227two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17.Aug 9
OreganoFeb 18May 6–May 13178fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after May 6.—
RosemaryFeb 4May 6–May 13164fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after May 6.—
SageMar 4May 6–May 13178fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after May 6.—
ThymeFeb 18May 6–May 13178fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 6.—
CalendulaMar 18Apr 15–Apr 29185two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17.Aug 14
CosmosApr 1Apr 29–May 13150two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 14
LavenderFeb 4Apr 29–May 13185fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 29.—
MarigoldsMar 18Apr 29–May 6150two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 24
MelonsApr 15May 13–May 20122fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 13.Jun 5
Mint—Apr 29–May 13185fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 29.—
NasturtiumsApr 1Apr 29–May 6150two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 19
Pole Beans—May 6–May 20143fits: 65 days to maturity, 143 available after May 6.Jul 9
Spaghetti SquashApr 15May 13–May 20129fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after May 13.Jun 7
Sunflowers—Apr 29–May 13150fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 29.Jul 4
TomatillosMar 4May 6–May 13129fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 6.Jun 15
WatermelonApr 15May 6–May 13129fits: 80 days to maturity, 129 available after May 6.Jun 10
Yellow SquashApr 15May 13–May 20136two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 19
ZinniasApr 1Apr 29–May 13150two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 14

Month by month in Richmond

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 4), Lavender (Feb 4), Onion (Feb 4), Rosemary (Feb 4), Celery (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), Sage (Mar 4), Swiss Chard (Mar 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 4), Beets (Mar 4), Dill (Mar 4), Peas (Mar 4), Radish (Mar 4), Spinach (Mar 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 25).
AprilStart indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Corn (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Okra (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 1), Turnip (Apr 1), Carrots (Apr 8), Potatoes (Apr 15), Sunflowers (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 1), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 1), Cabbage (Apr 1), Collards (Apr 1), Kale (Apr 1), Lettuce (Apr 1), +12 more. Last frost around April 29.
MayDirect sow from: Beans (May 6), Pole Beans (May 6). Transplant from: Celery (May 6), Chives (May 6), Corn (May 6), Okra (May 6), Oregano (May 6), Parsley (May 6), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 28), Pumpkin (May 28).
JuneLast sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Celery (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 7), Tomato (Jun 10), Watermelon (Jun 10), +4 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 9), Pole Beans (Jul 9), Basil (Jul 14), Cosmos (Jul 14), Cucumber (Jul 14), +11 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 8), Carrots (Aug 8), Beets (Aug 9), Dill (Aug 9), Swiss Chard (Aug 9), Calendula (Aug 14), +8 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 7), Spinach (Sep 7), Radish (Sep 8).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 10). First frost around October 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 31).
NovemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.
DecemberClean 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 Richmond, IN (ZIP 47374)?

The median last spring frost date for Richmond, IN (ZIP code 47374) is around April 29. 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 14.

What is the first fall frost date in Richmond, IN?

The median first fall frost date for Richmond, IN is around October 10. 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 Richmond, IN?

The frost-free growing season in Richmond is about 164 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 Richmond (164 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 Richmond, IN?

Richmond, 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 Richmond, IN?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in Richmond. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Richmond?

Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17.

When do I plant garlic in Richmond?

Oct 10 to Oct 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Brookville (ZIP 45309) has 180 frost-free days, 16 more than Richmond (ZIP 47374). See Brookville ZIP 45309 frost dates

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