Frost dates for 46845Fort Wayne, IN
The average last spring frost in Fort Wayne is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 11 · May 27 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 16 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Oct 10 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Wayne
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 | Apr 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46845 is matched to the NOAA station Garrett 1 S, IN, 15.7 km away, at 870 ft elevation (30 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett 1 S, IN (used) | 870 ft | May 2 | Oct 10 |
| Garrett, IN | 880 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 17 |
| Woodburn 3N, IN | 710 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 19 |
| Ft Wayne Intl Ap, IN | 791 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Fort Wayne
- Fort Wayne, IN 46825 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Huntertown, IN 46748 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Leo, IN 46765 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Laotto, IN 46763 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Grabill, IN 46741 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- New Haven, IN 46774 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Garrett, IN 46738 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Spencerville, IN 46788 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Wayne, IN?
- For ZIP code 46845, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Garrett 1 S, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Fort Wayne, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46845?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.