When to Plant in Indiana: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 807 Indiana ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Apr 22 and the median first fall frost is Oct 21 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 5 areas: May 3 – May 10; Zone 6 areas: Apr 29 – May 6; Zone 7 areas: Apr 13 – Apr 20.
Indiana spans USDA hardiness zones 5b–7a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 807 of its 807 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Apr 22 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Apr 10 – Apr 28) and the median first fall frost is Oct 21 (Oct 15 – Oct 29). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Indiana frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5 (41 ZIP codes) | Lowell, IN, Knox Wwtp, IN, Wheatfield, IN | Apr 26middle 80%: Apr 23 – Apr 29 | Oct 16middle 80%: Oct 13 – Oct 19 |
| Zone 6 (685 ZIP codes) | Indianapolis Se Side, IN, Ft Wayne Intl Airport, IN, S Bend, IN | Apr 22middle 80%: Apr 12 – Apr 28 | Oct 21middle 80%: Oct 15 – Oct 27 |
| Zone 7 (57 ZIP codes) | Stendal, IN, Brandenburg, KY, Evansville Regional Airport, IN | Apr 6middle 80%: Mar 31 – Apr 13 | Oct 30middle 80%: Oct 25 – Nov 9 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Indiana ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Brandenburg, KY, Chicago Northerly Is, IL, Crestwood 4Ne, KY, Danville, IL, Glencoe 6 Nw, KY, Grayville, IL…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Indiana vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Indiana, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 5 areasLast frost Apr 26 · First frost Oct 16 | Zone 6 areasLast frost Apr 22 · First frost Oct 21 | Zone 7 areasLast frost Apr 6 · First frost Oct 30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) May 14 – Jun 17 | Mar 11 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) May 10 – Jun 13 | Feb 23 – Mar 9Harvest (est.) Apr 24 – May 28 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) Apr 29 – May 28 | Mar 11 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) Apr 25 – May 24 | Feb 23 – Mar 9Harvest (est.) Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Mar 22 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Apr 11 – May 12 | Mar 18 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Apr 7 – May 8 | Mar 2 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) May 28 – Jul 1 | Mar 25 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) May 24 – Jun 27 | Mar 9 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) May 8 – Jun 11 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 22 – Aug 10 | Mar 25 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Jun 18 – Aug 6 | Mar 9 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) Jun 2 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jun 21 | Mar 25 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) May 14 – Jun 17 | Mar 9 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) Apr 28 – Jun 1 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 7 – Jul 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Jun 3 – Jul 7 | Mar 9 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Mar 16 – Apr 6 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Mar 16 – Apr 6 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jul 6 – Aug 7 | Apr 8 – Apr 15Harvest (est.) Jul 2 – Aug 3 | Mar 23 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) Jun 16 – Jul 18 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Aug 8 | Apr 29 – May 6Harvest (est.) Jul 8 – Aug 4 | Apr 13 – Apr 20Harvest (est.) Jun 22 – Jul 19 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 19 | Apr 29 – May 6Harvest (est.) Jun 13 – Jul 15 | Apr 13 – Apr 20Harvest (est.) May 28 – Jun 29 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 7 – Aug 8 | Apr 29 – May 6Harvest (est.) Jul 3 – Aug 4 | Apr 13 – Apr 20Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jul 14 | Apr 29 – May 6Harvest (est.) Jun 8 – Jul 10 | Apr 13 – Apr 20Harvest (est.) May 23 – Jun 24 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jun 29 | Apr 29 – May 6Harvest (est.) Jun 8 – Jun 25 | Apr 13 – Apr 20Harvest (est.) May 23 – Jun 9 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 22 – Aug 25 | Apr 29 – May 13Harvest (est.) Jul 18 – Aug 21 | Apr 13 – Apr 27Harvest (est.) Jul 2 – Aug 5 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 14 – Jun 21 | Apr 29 – May 6Harvest (est.) Jun 10 – Jun 17 | Apr 13 – Apr 20Harvest (est.) May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 14 – Jul 31 | May 6 – May 13Harvest (est.) Jul 10 – Jul 27 | Apr 20 – Apr 27Harvest (est.) Jun 24 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 15 | May 6 – May 13Harvest (est.) Jul 15 – Aug 11 | Apr 20 – Apr 27Harvest (est.) Jun 29 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 24 – Aug 7Harvest (est.) Sep 12 – Oct 16 | Jul 29 – Aug 12Harvest (est.) Sep 17 – Oct 21 | Aug 7 – Aug 21Harvest (est.) Sep 26 – Oct 30 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 24 – Aug 7Harvest (est.) Oct 2 – Nov 5 | Jul 29 – Aug 12Harvest (est.) Oct 7 – Nov 10 | Aug 7 – Aug 21Harvest (est.) Oct 16 – Nov 19 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 7 – Aug 21Harvest (est.) Sep 26 – Oct 30 | Aug 12 – Aug 26Harvest (est.) Oct 1 – Nov 4 | Aug 21 – Sep 4Harvest (est.) Oct 10 – Nov 13 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 21 – Sep 4Harvest (est.) Oct 20 – Nov 23 | Aug 26 – Sep 9Harvest (est.) Oct 25 – Nov 28 | Sep 4 – Sep 18Harvest (est.) Nov 3 – Dec 7 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Aug 28 – Sep 18Harvest (est.) Oct 12 – Nov 17 | Sep 2 – Sep 23Harvest (est.) Oct 17 – Nov 22 | Sep 11 – Oct 2Harvest (est.) Oct 26 – Dec 1 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 4 – Sep 18Harvest (est.) Sep 24 – Oct 18 | Sep 9 – Sep 23Harvest (est.) Sep 29 – Oct 23 | Sep 18 – Oct 2Harvest (est.) Oct 8 – Nov 1 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 18 – Oct 30 | Sep 23 – Nov 4 | Oct 2 – Nov 13 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 2 – Nov 13 | Oct 7 – Nov 18 | Oct 16 – Nov 27 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Oct 2 – Nov 6Harvest (est.) Jun 9, 2027 – Aug 3, 2027 | Oct 7 – Nov 11Harvest (est.) Jun 14, 2027 – Aug 8, 2027 | Oct 16 – Nov 20Harvest (est.) Jun 23, 2027 – Aug 17, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Indiana USDA zone guides: Zone 5 planting guide Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Indiana gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Indiana?
Across the 807 Indiana ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Apr 22, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Apr 10 to Apr 28. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Indiana?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 5 areas: May 3 – May 10; Zone 6 areas: Apr 29 – May 6; Zone 7 areas: Apr 13 – Apr 20.
What USDA zone is Indiana?
Indiana spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 5b–7a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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