Frost dates for 46628 — South Bend, IN
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season171 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 16 and May 17, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Indiana median of Apr 22.
- Its 171-day growing season is longer than 12% of the 733 Indiana places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 126 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chicago, IL, 116 km away, the last frost here is 21 days later than there and the growing season is 38 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| 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 South Bend, IN
Frost dates for 46628 — South Bend, IN — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 19, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
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 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| 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 South Bend Michiana Rgnl Ap, IN weather station, 2 km away (elevation 774 ft (236 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
- New Carlisle May 1 · Oct 19
- Osceola Apr 23 · Oct 23
- Lakeville May 1 · Oct 13
- North Liberty May 1 · Oct 13
- Wyatt 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 May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, 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 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in South Bend, IN?
About 171 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.