Frost dates for 46782Preble, IN
The average last spring frost in Preble is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 19 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 28 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 15 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Preble
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46782 is matched to the NOAA station Decatur 1 N, IN, 6.6 km away, at 785 ft elevation (25 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur 1 N, IN (used) | 785 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 19 |
| Bluffton 6N, IN | 861 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
| Berne Wwtp, IN | 839 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 22 |
| Ft Wayne Intl Ap, IN | 791 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Preble
- Decatur, IN 46733 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Craigville, IN 46731 · last Apr 24, first Oct 20
- Hoagland, IN 46745 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Ossian, IN 46777 · last Apr 24, first Oct 20
- Pleasant Mills, IN 46780 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Bluffton, IN 46714 · last Apr 24, first Oct 20
- Berne, IN 46711 · last Apr 23, first Oct 22
- Monroeville, IN 46773 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Preble, IN?
- For ZIP code 46782, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Decatur 1 N, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Preble, 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 46782?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.