Frost Dates for Rushville, IN 46173
Last spring frost April 22 · First fall frost October 14 · 175 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46173 has about 10,400 people.
Moderate season: 175 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 8–May 7 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 30–October 27 (27 days).
Frost probability for 46173
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 7 | April 22 | April 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 30 | October 14 | October 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RUSHVILLE (2.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 175-day season in Rushville
In Rushville (175 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 18 | May 6–May 13 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 6. | Jun 14 |
| Pepper | Mar 11 | May 6–May 13 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 6. | Jun 19 |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 23 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 1. | Aug 12 |
| Cucumber | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Peas | — | Feb 25–May 6 | 238 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 238 available after Feb 25. | Aug 3 |
| Zucchini | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Onion | Jan 28 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 210 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 25–Apr 15 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 11 |
| Kale | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 210 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 25. | Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 25. | Aug 12 |
| Radish | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Oct 21. | Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 14 | 280 | overwinter: Plant Oct 14 to Nov 4; harvest the following summer. | Nov 4 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 18–May 13 | 231 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 18; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 29. | Jun 26 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 8 | May 6–May 6 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jun 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 15. | Jul 24 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 8 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 11 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 224 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 25. | Jul 13 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 133 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 6. | Jun 24 |
| Okra | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Basil | Mar 18 | May 13–May 13 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 25–Apr 15 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Parsley | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 29. | Jul 29 |
| Celery | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 13 | 175 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 29. | Jun 9 |
| Scallions | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 23 |
| Collards | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 6. | Jun 9 |
| Chives | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Oregano | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Sage | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Cosmos | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Lavender | Jan 28 | Apr 22–May 6 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Melons | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 6. | Jun 9 |
| Mint | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 154 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 29. | Jul 13 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jun 11 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 22. | Jul 8 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 29. | Jun 19 |
| Watermelon | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 29. | Jun 14 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Zinnias | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
Month by month in Rushville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 28), Lavender (Jan 28), Onion (Jan 28), Rosemary (Jan 28). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 11), Collards (Feb 11), Kale (Feb 11), Oregano (Feb 11), Parsley (Feb 11), Scallions (Feb 11), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 25), Beets (Feb 25), Dill (Feb 25), Peas (Feb 25), Radish (Feb 25), Spinach (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 4), Calendula (Mar 11), Cauliflower (Mar 11), Marigolds (Mar 11), Pepper (Mar 11), Basil (Mar 18), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 11), Cilantro (Mar 25), Turnip (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 25), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 25), Cabbage (Mar 25), Collards (Mar 25), Kale (Mar 25), Lettuce (Mar 25), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 1), Butternut Squash (Apr 8), Cantaloupe (Apr 8), Melons (Apr 8), Pumpkin (Apr 8), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 8), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 1), Potatoes (Apr 8), Sunflowers (Apr 22), Beans (Apr 29), Pole Beans (Apr 29). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 8), Swiss Chard (Apr 8), Bok Choy (Apr 15), Cauliflower (Apr 15), Cosmos (Apr 22), Lavender (Apr 22), +15 more. Last frost around April 22. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 6), Cantaloupe (May 6), Cucumber (May 6), Eggplant (May 6), Melons (May 6), Pepper (May 6), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 1), Pumpkin (Jun 1), Cantaloupe (Jun 9), Celery (Jun 9), Melons (Jun 9), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 11), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 8), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 13), Pole Beans (Jul 13), Basil (Jul 18), Cosmos (Jul 18), Cucumber (Jul 18), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 3), Cabbage (Aug 12), Carrots (Aug 12), Beets (Aug 13), Dill (Aug 13), Swiss Chard (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 1), Arugula (Sep 11), Spinach (Sep 11), Radish (Sep 12). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 14). First frost around October 14. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 4). |
| 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 Rushville, IN (ZIP 46173)?
The median last spring frost date for Rushville, IN (ZIP code 46173) is around April 22. 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 8; one in ten it runs past May 7.
What is the first fall frost date in Rushville, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Rushville, IN is around October 14. 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 30 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Rushville, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Rushville is about 175 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 Rushville (175 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 Rushville, IN?
Rushville, 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 Rushville, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 18 and plant out May 6 in Rushville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Rushville?
Two: plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21.
When do I plant garlic in Rushville?
Oct 14 to Nov 4; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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