Frost dates for 46788Spencerville, IN
The average last spring frost in Spencerville is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 25 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 19 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Sep 29 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 3 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Spencerville
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 27 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 27 |
| 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 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46788 is matched to the NOAA station Hicksville, OH, 15.2 km away, at 750 ft elevation (34 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hicksville, OH (used) | 750 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 17 |
| Woodburn 3N, IN | 710 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 19 |
| Garrett 1 S, IN | 870 ft | May 2 | Oct 10 |
| Garrett, IN | 880 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Spencerville
- Grabill, IN 46741 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Saint Joe, IN 46785 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Leo, IN 46765 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Harlan, IN 46743 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Auburn, IN 46706 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Hicksville, OH 43526 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Fort Wayne, IN 46845 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Woodburn, IN 46797 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Spencerville, IN?
- For ZIP code 46788, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hicksville, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Spencerville, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46788?
- 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.