Frost dates for 46126Fairland, IN
The average last spring frost in Fairland is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 191 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 191 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 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 11 · Apr 24 · May 8 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 24 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 191 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 216 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fairland
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46126 is matched to the NOAA station Shelbyville Muni Ap, IN, 9.5 km away, at 804 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelbyville Muni Ap, IN (used) | 804 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 23 |
| Shelbyville Sewage Plt, IN | 752 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
| Indianapolis Se Side, IN | 845 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 21 |
| Greenfield, IN | 869 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Fairland
- Boggstown, IN 46110 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Needham, IN 46162 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Indianapolis, IN 46259 · last Apr 20, first Oct 21
- Fountaintown, IN 46130 · last Apr 14, first Oct 23
- New Palestine, IN 46163 · last Apr 20, first Oct 21
- Shelbyville, IN 46176 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Whiteland, IN 46184 · last Apr 20, first Oct 21
- Morristown, IN 46161 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fairland, IN?
- For ZIP code 46126, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Shelbyville Muni Ap, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Fairland, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46126?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 191 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.