Frost dates for 46352La Porte, IN
The average last spring frost in La Porte is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 191 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 191 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 17 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Oct 29 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 191 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 7 · Apr 22 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for La Porte
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46352 is matched to the NOAA station Laporte, IN, 12.6 km away, at 809 ft elevation (77 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laporte, IN (used) | 809 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 27 |
| Wanatah 2 Wnw, IN | 735 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Knox Wwtp, IN | 690 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| Valparaiso Porter Co Muni Ap, IN | 770 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near La Porte
- Kingsford Heights, IN 46346 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- Kingsbury, IN 46345 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- La Porte, IN 46350 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- Union Mills, IN 46382 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Hanna, IN 46340 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Hamlet, IN 46532 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Westville, IN 46391 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Mill Creek, IN 46365 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in La Porte, IN?
- For ZIP code 46352, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Laporte, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in La Porte, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46352?
- 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.