Frost dates for 46869Fort Wayne, IN
The average last spring frost in Fort Wayne is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 20 · May 4 · May 18 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 10 | Oct 8 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 12 · Apr 28 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 203 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 | Mar 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46869 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Wayne Intl Ap, IN, 17.8 km away, at 791 ft elevation (13 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Wayne Intl Ap, IN (used) | 791 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 21 |
| 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 Fort Wayne
- Fort Wayne, IN 46801 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- New Haven, IN 46774 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Leo, IN 46765 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Hoagland, IN 46745 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Grabill, IN 46741 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Huntertown, IN 46748 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Woodburn, IN 46797 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Arcola, IN 46704 · last Apr 27, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Wayne, IN?
- For ZIP code 46869, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Wayne Intl Ap, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Fort Wayne, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46869?
- 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.