Bethlehem, IN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 12median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season196 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Bethlehem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bethlehem falls between March 29 and May 1, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the Indiana median of Apr 22.
- Its 196-day growing season is longer than 83% of the 733 Indiana places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 105 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Louisville, KY, 44 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 29 |
| 50% (median) | April 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
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 Bethlehem, IN
Bethlehem, IN frost dates — last frost Apr 12, first frost Oct 25, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 17
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bethlehem, IN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Basil | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 19 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Crestwood 4ne, KY weather station, 20 km away (elevation 781 ft (238 m)).
Frost dates near Bethlehem
- New Washington Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Nabb Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Hanover Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Marysville Apr 18 · Oct 20
- Otisco Apr 18 · Oct 20
- Lexington Apr 18 · Oct 20
- Charlestown Mar 31 · Nov 9
- Madison Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Henryville Apr 18 · Oct 20
- Underwood Apr 18 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bethlehem, IN?
The median last spring frost in Bethlehem, IN is April 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bethlehem, IN?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Bethlehem, IN?
About 196 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bethlehem, IN?
Bethlehem, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.