Decatur, IN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Decatur compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Decatur falls between April 7 and May 8, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Indiana median of Apr 22.
- Its 179-day growing season is longer than 39% of the 733 Indiana places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 127 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Fort Wayne, IN, 33 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 7 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Decatur, IN
Decatur, IN frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 19, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Decatur, IN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
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 Decatur 1 N, IN weather station, 2 km away (elevation 784 ft (239 m)).
Frost dates near Decatur
- Preble Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Pleasant Mills Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Craigville Apr 24 · Oct 20
- Hoagland Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Monroe Apr 23 · Oct 22
- Berne Apr 23 · Oct 22
- Monroeville Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Ossian Apr 24 · Oct 20
- Bluffton Apr 24 · Oct 20
- Linn Grove Apr 23 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Decatur, IN?
The median last spring frost in Decatur, IN is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Decatur, IN?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in Decatur, IN?
About 179 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Decatur, IN?
Decatur, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.