Frost dates for 46516Elkhart, IN
The average last spring frost in Elkhart is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 23 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 26 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 26 · May 12 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elkhart
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46516 is matched to the NOAA station Goshen 3Sw, IN, 14.8 km away, at 875 ft elevation (120 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goshen 3Sw, IN (used) | 875 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 21 |
| Goshen Muni Ap, IN | 827 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 19 |
| S Bend, IN | 710 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| South Bend Michiana Rgnl Ap, IN | 773 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Elkhart
- Elkhart, IN 46515 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Osceola, IN 46561 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Goshen, IN 46528 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Bristol, IN 46507 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Edwardsburg, MI 49112 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- Union, MI 49130 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Wakarusa, IN 46573 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Mishawaka, IN 46546 · last May 1, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elkhart, IN?
- For ZIP code 46516, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Goshen 3Sw, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Elkhart, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46516?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.