Frost dates for 46383 — Valparaiso, IN
Last spring frostApr 20median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Valparaiso compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Valparaiso falls between April 6 and May 7, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 8.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Indiana median of Apr 22.
- Its 189-day growing season is longer than 74% of the 733 Indiana places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 125 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gary, IN, 27 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
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 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 8 |
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 Valparaiso, IN
Frost dates for 46383 — Valparaiso, IN — last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 26, zone 6a. 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 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
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: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
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: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Transplant outside: May 4 to May 25
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Valparaiso, 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 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| 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 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 27 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| 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 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 4 – May 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
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 Valparaiso Porter Co Muni Ap, IN weather station, 5 km away (elevation 771 ft (235 m)).
ZIP codes in Valparaiso: 46383 46384 46385
Frost dates near Valparaiso
- Wheeler Apr 22 · Oct 25
- Boone Grove Apr 20 · Oct 26
- Portage Apr 22 · Oct 27
- Westville Apr 29 · Oct 13
- Kouts Apr 25 · Oct 17
- Hobart Apr 22 · Oct 25
- Wanatah Apr 29 · Oct 13
- Chesterton Apr 22 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Valparaiso, IN?
The median last spring frost in Valparaiso, 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 Valparaiso, IN?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Valparaiso, IN?
About 189 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Valparaiso, IN?
Valparaiso, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.