S Bend, IN Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every S Bend garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 23
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
183 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 11 Apr 23 May 9
First fall frost Nov 5 Oct 23 Oct 9
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 12 · first Nov 3

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the S BEND station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for S Bend

Computed from S Bend's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 26 – Mar 12 Apr 30 – May 7
🫑 Peppers Feb 12 – Feb 26 May 7 – May 14
🥬 Lettuce Mar 12 – Mar 26 Mar 26 – Apr 9 Mar 26 – Apr 23
🫛 Peas Mar 12 – Mar 26
🥕 Carrots Apr 2 – Apr 23
🥦 Broccoli Mar 5 – Mar 19 Apr 2 – Apr 16
🥬 Kale Mar 12 – Mar 26 Mar 26 – Apr 9 Mar 26 – Apr 9
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 26 – Apr 2 Apr 30 – May 7 Apr 30 – May 7
🥒 Zucchini Mar 26 – Apr 2 Apr 30 – May 7 Apr 30 – May 7
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 30 – May 7
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 30 – May 7
🌿 Basil Mar 12 – Mar 26 Apr 30 – May 7 May 7 – May 14
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 11 – Oct 9

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use S Bend's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in S Bend

Roughly 183 frost-free days gives S Bend gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 23; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 23 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in S Bend, IN?

The average last spring frost in S Bend is around Apr 23, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in S Bend, IN?

The average first fall frost in S Bend arrives around Oct 23. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in S Bend?

About 183 frost-free days on average, from Apr 23 to Oct 23. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is S Bend in?

USDA zone 6a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.