Frost Dates for Washington, IN 47501
Last spring frost April 14 · First fall frost October 21 · 190 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 47501 has about 18,600 people.
Long season: 190 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 1–April 28 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 5 (31 days).
Frost probability for 47501
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 28 | April 14 | April 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 21 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CRANE NSA (37.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 190-day season in Washington
In Washington (190 frost-free days, a long 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 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 148 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 28. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 3 | Apr 28–May 5 | 148 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 28. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 24. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Feb 17–Apr 28 | 253 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 253 available after Feb 17. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 225 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 17–Apr 7 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 225 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 17. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 239 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 17. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 211 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 295 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 10–May 5 | 246 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 21. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 31 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 155 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 28. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 7. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Mar 31 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 17. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 155 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 28. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 148 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 28. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 10 | May 5–May 5 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 17–Apr 7 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 21. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 3 | Apr 21–May 5 | 190 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 21. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 148 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 28. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Sage | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Jan 20 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 211 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 148 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 28. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 211 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 169 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 21. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 155 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 28. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 14. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 155 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 21. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 155 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 21. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Washington
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 20), Lavender (Jan 20), Onion (Jan 20), Rosemary (Jan 20). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 3), Collards (Feb 3), Kale (Feb 3), Oregano (Feb 3), Parsley (Feb 3), Scallions (Feb 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 17), Beets (Feb 17), Dill (Feb 17), Peas (Feb 17), Radish (Feb 17), Spinach (Feb 17). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 3), Cauliflower (Mar 3), Marigolds (Mar 3), Pepper (Mar 3), Basil (Mar 10), Tomato (Mar 10), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 3), Cilantro (Mar 17), Turnip (Mar 17), Carrots (Mar 24), Potatoes (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 17), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 17), Cabbage (Mar 17), Collards (Mar 17), Kale (Mar 17), Lettuce (Mar 17), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 10). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 14), Beans (Apr 21), Pole Beans (Apr 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 7), Cauliflower (Apr 7), Cosmos (Apr 14), Lavender (Apr 14), Marigolds (Apr 14), Mint (Apr 14), +24 more. Last frost around April 14. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 5). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| 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 Washington, IN (ZIP 47501)?
The median last spring frost date for Washington, IN (ZIP code 47501) is around April 14. 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 1; one in ten it runs past April 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Washington, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Washington, IN is around October 21. 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 Washington, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Washington is about 190 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 Washington (190 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Washington, IN?
Washington, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Washington, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 10 and plant out Apr 28 in Washington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Washington?
Two: plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Washington?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Washington?
Yes: plant out Apr 28 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 21 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Princeton (ZIP 47670) has 198 frost-free days, 8 more than Washington (ZIP 47501). See Princeton ZIP 47670 frost dates
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