Frost dates for 46390Wanatah, IN
The average last spring frost in Wanatah is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 166 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 166 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 26 · May 9 · May 25 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 14 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 166 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 17 · May 3 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 9 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wanatah
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46390 is matched to the NOAA station Wanatah 2 Wnw, IN, 7.9 km away, at 735 ft elevation (33 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanatah 2 Wnw, IN (used) | 735 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Valparaiso Porter Co Muni Ap, IN | 770 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 26 |
| Valparaiso Wtr Wks, IN | 800 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 25 |
| Knox Wwtp, IN | 690 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Wanatah
- La Crosse, IN 46348 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Hanna, IN 46340 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Union Mills, IN 46382 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Kouts, IN 46347 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Westville, IN 46391 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Valparaiso, IN 46383 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Kingsford Heights, IN 46346 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- La Porte, IN 46352 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wanatah, IN?
- For ZIP code 46390, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wanatah 2 Wnw, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Wanatah, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46390?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 166 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.