Frost dates for 46384Valparaiso, IN
The average last spring frost in Valparaiso is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 18 · May 1 · May 18 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 7 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Valparaiso
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46384 is matched to the NOAA station Valparaiso Porter Co Muni Ap, IN, 7.2 km away, at 770 ft elevation (17 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso Porter Co Muni Ap, IN (used) | 770 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 26 |
| Valparaiso Wtr Wks, IN | 800 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 25 |
| Wanatah 2 Wnw, IN | 735 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Indiana Dunes Nl, IN | 680 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Valparaiso
- Valparaiso, IN 46385 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Wheeler, IN 46393 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Portage, IN 46368 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Chesterton, IN 46304 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Hobart, IN 46342 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Westville, IN 46391 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Boone Grove, IN 46302 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Lake Station, IN 46405 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Valparaiso, IN?
- For ZIP code 46384, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Valparaiso Porter Co Muni Ap, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Valparaiso, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46384?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.