Frost dates for 46953Marion, IN
The average last spring frost in Marion is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 23 · May 7 · May 22 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 26 · May 12 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Marion
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46953 is matched to the NOAA station Marion 2 N, IN, 4.9 km away, at 790 ft elevation (53 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion 2 N, IN (used) | 790 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 20 |
| Wabash, IN | 665 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Elwood, IN | 866 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Hartford City 4 Ese, IN | 924 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Marion
- Marion, IN 46952 · last Apr 26, first Oct 20
- Jonesboro, IN 46938 · last Apr 26, first Oct 20
- Gas City, IN 46933 · last Apr 26, first Oct 20
- Sweetser, IN 46987 · last Apr 26, first Oct 20
- Fairmount, IN 46928 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Swayzee, IN 46986 · last Apr 26, first Oct 20
- Van Buren, IN 46991 · last Apr 26, first Oct 20
- Fowlerton, IN 46930 · last Apr 26, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Marion, IN?
- For ZIP code 46953, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marion 2 N, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Marion, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. 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 46953?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.