Frost Dates for South Bend, IN 46613
South Bend has 11 ZIP codes. The South Bend, IN frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 19 · 173 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46613 has about 12,300 people, one of 11 ZIP codes in South Bend.
Moderate season: 173 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 14 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 3 (29 days).
Frost probability for 46613
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 14 | April 29 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 19 | November 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at EAU CLAIRE 4 NE (40.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 173-day season in South Bend
In South Bend (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 25 | May 13–May 20 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 13. | Jun 19 |
| Pepper | Mar 18 | May 13–May 20 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 13. | Jun 24 |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 8. | Aug 17 |
| Cucumber | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4–May 13 | 236 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 4. | Aug 8 |
| Zucchini | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Onion | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4–Apr 22 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Kale | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 1. | Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 1. | Aug 17 |
| Radish | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 19 | 278 | overwinter: Plant Oct 19 to Nov 9; harvest the following summer. | Nov 9 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 25–May 20 | 229 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after May 6. | Jul 1 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 15 | May 13–May 13 | 138 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 138 available after May 13. | Jun 6 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 | Apr 22–May 6 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 22. | Jul 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 222 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 1. | Jul 18 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 138 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 138 available after May 13. | Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 131 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 131 available after May 13. | Jun 29 |
| Okra | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 20–May 20 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1–Apr 22 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Parsley | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6. | Aug 3 |
| Celery | Feb 18 | May 6–May 20 | 173 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6. | Jun 14 |
| Scallions | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Collards | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 131 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 131 available after May 13. | Jun 14 |
| Chives | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after May 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Oregano | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after May 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6. | — |
| Sage | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after May 6. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after May 6. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Cosmos | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Lavender | Feb 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 6 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Melons | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 131 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 131 available after May 13. | Jun 14 |
| Mint | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 152 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 152 available after May 6. | Jul 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 138 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 138 available after May 13. | Jun 16 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 29. | Jul 13 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 6. | Jun 24 |
| Watermelon | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 6. | Jun 19 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Zinnias | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
Month by month in South Bend
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 4), Lavender (Feb 4), Onion (Feb 4), Rosemary (Feb 4), Celery (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), +5 more. |
| March | Start 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). |
| April | Start 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. |
| May | Direct 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. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 6), Pumpkin (Jun 6), Cantaloupe (Jun 14), Celery (Jun 14), Melons (Jun 14), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 16), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 1), Sunflowers (Jul 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 18), Pole Beans (Jul 18), Basil (Jul 23), Cosmos (Jul 23), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 2), Parsley (Aug 3), Peas (Aug 8), Cabbage (Aug 17), Carrots (Aug 17), Beets (Aug 18), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 1), Kohlrabi (Sep 1), Turnip (Sep 6), Arugula (Sep 16), Spinach (Sep 16), Radish (Sep 17). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 19). First frost around October 19. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 9). |
| 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 South Bend, IN (ZIP 46613)?
The median last spring frost date for South Bend, IN (ZIP code 46613) 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 14.
What is the first fall frost date in South Bend, IN?
The median first fall frost date for South Bend, IN is around October 19. 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 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in South Bend, IN?
The frost-free growing season in South Bend 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 South Bend (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 South Bend, IN?
South Bend, 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 South Bend, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in South Bend. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in South Bend?
Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26.
When do I plant garlic in South Bend?
Oct 19 to Nov 9; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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