Frost dates for 46601 — South Bend, IN
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season183 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How South Bend compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in South Bend falls between April 11 and May 9, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 1 day later 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 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 133 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Fort Wayne, IN, 116 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 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 South Bend, IN
Frost dates for 46601 — South Bend, IN — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 23, 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 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
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 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
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 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in South Bend, 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 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| 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 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| 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 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 S Bend, IN weather station, 3 km away (elevation 709 ft (216 m)).
ZIP codes in South Bend: 46601 46613 46614 46615 46616 46617 46619 46624 46626 46628 46634 46635 46637 46660 46680 46699
Frost dates near South Bend
- Notre Dame Apr 23 · Oct 23
- Mishawaka Apr 23 · Oct 23
- Granger Apr 23 · Oct 23
- Osceola Apr 23 · Oct 23
- Lakeville May 1 · Oct 13
- Wyatt May 1 · Oct 13
- New Carlisle May 1 · Oct 19
- North Liberty May 1 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in South Bend, IN?
The median last spring frost in South Bend, IN is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in South Bend, IN?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in South Bend, IN?
About 183 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is South Bend, IN?
South Bend, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.