Frost dates for 46962North Manchester, IN
The average last spring frost in North Manchester is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 11 (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 6 · May 20 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 11 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Manchester
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 29 |
| 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 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 29 |
| 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 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46962 is matched to the NOAA station N Manchester Wwtp, IN, 1 km away, at 760 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| N Manchester Wwtp, IN (used) | 760 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| Wabash, IN | 665 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Huntington, IN | 725 ft | May 1 | Oct 14 |
| Columbia City, IN | 834 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near North Manchester
- Laketon, IN 46943 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Liberty Mills, IN 46946 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Servia, IN 46980 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Urbana, IN 46990 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Silver Lake, IN 46982 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Roann, IN 46974 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Bippus, IN 46713 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Claypool, IN 46510 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Manchester, IN?
- For ZIP code 46962, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the N Manchester Wwtp, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in North Manchester, 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 46962?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.