Portage, IN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season188 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Portage compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Portage falls between April 7 and May 8, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 9.
- The median last frost is the same as the Indiana median of Apr 22.
- Its 188-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 733 Indiana places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 117 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Portage shares its weather station with Gary, IN, 14 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 7 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 9 |
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 Portage, IN
Portage, IN frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 27, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Portage, IN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Indiana Dunes Nl, IN weather station, 10 km away (elevation 679 ft (207 m)).
Frost dates near Portage
- Wheeler Apr 22 · Oct 25
- Lake Station Apr 22 · Oct 27
- Hobart Apr 22 · Oct 25
- Chesterton Apr 22 · Oct 27
- Valparaiso Apr 22 · Oct 25
- Gary Apr 22 · Oct 27
- Merrillville Apr 29 · Oct 16
- Griffith Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Beverly Shores Apr 22 · Oct 27
- Crown Point Apr 29 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Portage, IN?
The median last spring frost in Portage, IN is April 22. 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 Portage, IN?
The median first fall frost is October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Portage, IN?
About 188 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Portage, IN?
Portage, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.