Frost Dates for South Bend, IN 46619
South Bend has 11 ZIP codes. The South Bend, IN frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 22 · 179 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 46619 has about 21,700 people, one of 11 ZIP codes in South Bend.
Moderate season: 179 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 11–May 11 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 7–November 5 (29 days).
Frost probability for 46619
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 11 | April 26 | April 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 7 | October 22 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at S BEND AP (6.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 179-day season in South Bend
In South Bend (179 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 22 | May 10–May 17 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 10. | Jun 22 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 10. | Jun 27 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 5. | Aug 20 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 242 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 1. | Aug 11 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 214 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 29. | Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 29. | Aug 20 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 20 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 22 | 284 | overwinter: Plant Oct 22 to Nov 12; harvest the following summer. | Nov 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 235 | 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 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 3. | Jul 4 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 10. | Jun 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 19. | Aug 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 29. | Jul 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 10. | Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 10. | Jul 2 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after May 3. | Aug 6 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 179 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 179 available after May 3. | Jun 17 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 10. | Jun 17 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 10. | Jun 17 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 158 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 158 available after May 3. | Jul 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 144 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 144 available after May 10. | Jun 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 26. | Jul 16 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 3. | Jun 27 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after May 3. | Jun 22 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
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 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. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 9), Pumpkin (Jun 9), Cantaloupe (Jun 17), Celery (Jun 17), Melons (Jun 17), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 19), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 2), Corn (Jul 4), Sunflowers (Jul 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 21), Pole Beans (Jul 21), Basil (Jul 26), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cauliflower (Aug 1), Beans (Aug 2), Marigolds (Aug 5), Parsley (Aug 6), Peas (Aug 11), Cabbage (Aug 20), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 4), Kohlrabi (Sep 4), Turnip (Sep 9), Arugula (Sep 19), Spinach (Sep 19), Radish (Sep 20). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 22). First frost around October 22. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 12). |
| 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 46619)?
The median last spring frost date for South Bend, IN (ZIP code 46619) 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 11; one in ten it runs past May 11.
What is the first fall frost date in South Bend, IN?
The median first fall frost date for South Bend, IN is around October 22. 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 7 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 179 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 (179 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 22 and plant out May 10 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 Mar 29 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29.
When do I plant garlic in South Bend?
Oct 22 to Nov 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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