Frost dates for 46699 — South Bend, IN
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season165 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 18 and May 18, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Indiana median of Apr 22.
- Its 165-day growing season is among the shortest of the 733 Indiana places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 140 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Fort Wayne, IN, 114 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 15 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 46699 — South Bend, IN — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 13, 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 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
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 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
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 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
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 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| 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 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| 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 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Lakeville, IN weather station, 8 km away (elevation 840 ft (256 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
- Lakeville May 1 · Oct 13
- North Liberty May 1 · Oct 13
- Notre Dame Apr 23 · Oct 23
- Wyatt May 1 · Oct 13
- Mishawaka Apr 23 · Oct 23
- Lapaz May 1 · Oct 13
- Bremen May 1 · Oct 13
- Osceola Apr 23 · Oct 23
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 18, 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 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in South Bend, IN?
About 165 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.