Frost dates for 46034Cicero, IN
The average last spring frost in Cicero is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 20 · May 5 · May 20 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 11 · Apr 29 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cicero
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46034 is matched to the NOAA station Tipton 5 Sw, IN, 12 km away, at 890 ft elevation (44 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tipton 5 Sw, IN (used) | 890 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 17 |
| Carmel 3 E, IN | 752 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Elwood, IN | 866 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Anderson Sewage Plt, IN | 841 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Cicero
- Arcadia, IN 46030 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Noblesville, IN 46061 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Carmel, IN 46082 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Atlanta, IN 46031 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Westfield, IN 46074 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Sheridan, IN 46069 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Tipton, IN 46072 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Lapel, IN 46051 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cicero, IN?
- For ZIP code 46034, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tipton 5 Sw, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Cicero, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46034?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.