Bedford, IN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 20median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season183 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Bedford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bedford falls between April 6 and May 7, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Indiana median of Apr 22.
- Its 183-day growing season is longer than 50% of the 733 Indiana places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 119 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bloomington, IN, 33 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Bedford, IN
Bedford, IN frost dates — last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 20, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Transplant outside: May 4 to May 25
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bedford, IN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 23 – Apr 27 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Basil | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 27 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 4 – May 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Oolitic Purdue Ex Fm, IN weather station, 6 km away (elevation 653 ft (199 m)).
Frost dates near Bedford
- Oolitic Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Avoca Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Heltonville Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Springville Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Mitchell Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Harrodsburg Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Williams Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Tunnelton Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Norman Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Smithville Apr 15 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bedford, IN?
The median last spring frost in Bedford, IN is April 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bedford, IN?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Bedford, IN?
About 183 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bedford, IN?
Bedford, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.