Frost dates for 46360Michigan City, IN
The average last spring frost in Michigan City is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 4 · May 21 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Oct 30 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 8 | Oct 15 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 8 · Apr 23 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Michigan City
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46360 is matched to the NOAA station Indiana Dunes Nl, IN, 19.6 km away, at 680 ft elevation (47 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Dunes Nl, IN (used) | 680 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 27 |
| Laporte, IN | 809 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 27 |
| Valparaiso Wtr Wks, IN | 800 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 25 |
| Wanatah 2 Wnw, IN | 735 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Michigan City
- Michigan City, IN 46361 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Beverly Shores, IN 46301 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- New Buffalo, MI 49117 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- La Porte, IN 46350 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- Chesterton, IN 46304 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Westville, IN 46391 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Union Pier, MI 49129 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- Lakeside, MI 49116 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Michigan City, IN?
- For ZIP code 46360, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Indiana Dunes Nl, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Michigan City, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46360?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.