Frost dates for 46545Mishawaka, IN
The average last spring frost in Mishawaka is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 27 · May 11 · May 27 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 19 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · May 1 · May 17 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 5 | Oct 19 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mishawaka
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46545 is matched to the NOAA station South Bend Michiana Rgnl Ap, IN, 12.6 km away, at 773 ft elevation (28 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend Michiana Rgnl Ap, IN (used) | 773 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
| S Bend, IN | 710 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| Niles, MI | 650 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
| Lakeville, IN | 841 ft | May 1 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Mishawaka
- Mishawaka, IN 46546 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- South Bend, IN 46615 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Notre Dame, IN 46556 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Osceola, IN 46561 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Granger, IN 46530 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Elkhart, IN 46515 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Niles, MI 49120 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Edwardsburg, MI 49112 · last May 4, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mishawaka, IN?
- For ZIP code 46545, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the South Bend Michiana Rgnl Ap, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Mishawaka, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46545?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.