Frost dates for 46634South Bend, IN
The average last spring frost in South Bend is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (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 28 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 18 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 28 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 21 · May 7 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for South Bend
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 23 |
| 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 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 23 |
| 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 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46634 is matched to the NOAA station Lakeville, IN, 8 km away, at 841 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeville, IN (used) | 841 ft | May 1 | Oct 13 |
| S Bend, IN | 710 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| South Bend Michiana Rgnl Ap, IN | 773 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
| Niles, MI | 650 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near South Bend
- South Bend, IN 46660 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Lakeville, IN 46536 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- North Liberty, IN 46554 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Notre Dame, IN 46556 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Mishawaka, IN 46544 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Wyatt, IN 46595 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Lapaz, IN 46537 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Bremen, IN 46506 · last May 1, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in South Bend, IN?
- For ZIP code 46634, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lakeville, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in South Bend, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46634?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.