Frost dates for 46977Rockfield, IN
The average last spring frost in Rockfield is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 19 · May 2 · May 19 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 21 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 8 · Apr 23 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rockfield
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46977 is matched to the NOAA station Delphi 2 N, IN, 8.3 km away, at 556 ft elevation (143 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delphi 2 N, IN (used) | 556 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 17 |
| Logansport Cicott St, IN | 600 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Young America, IN | 773 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| Chalmers 5 W, IN | 720 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Rockfield
- Camden, IN 46917 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Burrows, IN 46916 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Delphi, IN 46923 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Flora, IN 46929 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Yeoman, IN 47997 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Burnettsville, IN 47926 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Bringhurst, IN 46913 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Idaville, IN 47950 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rockfield, IN?
- For ZIP code 46977, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Delphi 2 N, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Rockfield, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46977?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.