Frost dates for 46542Milford, IN
The average last spring frost in Milford is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 7 · May 21 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milford
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46542 is matched to the NOAA station Goshen Muni Ap, IN, 15 km away, at 827 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goshen Muni Ap, IN (used) | 827 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 19 |
| Northern Indiana Wfo, IN | 951 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
| Warsaw, IN | 815 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 18 |
| Goshen 3Sw, IN | 875 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Milford
- Leesburg, IN 46538 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- New Paris, IN 46553 · last Apr 28, first Oct 19
- Syracuse, IN 46567 · last Apr 28, first Oct 19
- Nappanee, IN 46550 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Warsaw, IN 46582 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- North Webster, IN 46555 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Atwood, IN 46502 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Millersburg, IN 46543 · last Apr 28, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milford, IN?
- For ZIP code 46542, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Goshen Muni Ap, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Milford, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46542?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.