Frost dates for 46039Forest, IN
The average last spring frost in Forest is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 23 · May 6 · May 22 | Sep 24 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 13 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 13 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Forest
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46039 is matched to the NOAA station Kokomo 3 Wsw, IN, 15.3 km away, at 822 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kokomo 3 Wsw, IN (used) | 822 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
| Frankfort Disposal, IN | 824 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Young America, IN | 773 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| Tipton 5 Sw, IN | 890 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Forest
- Russiaville, IN 46979 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Michigantown, IN 46057 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- West Middleton, IN 46995 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Kempton, IN 46049 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Burlington, IN 46915 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Frankfort, IN 46041 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Cutler, IN 46920 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Sedalia, IN 46067 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Forest, IN?
- For ZIP code 46039, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kokomo 3 Wsw, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Forest, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46039?
- 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.