Frost dates for 46990Urbana, IN
The average last spring frost in Urbana is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 181 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 181 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 20 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 181 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 12 · Apr 29 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Urbana
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46990 is matched to the NOAA station Wabash, IN, 13.6 km away, at 665 ft elevation (162 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wabash, IN (used) | 665 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| N Manchester Wwtp, IN | 760 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| Huntington, IN | 725 ft | May 1 | Oct 14 |
| Columbia City, IN | 834 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Urbana
- Servia, IN 46980 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Lagro, IN 46941 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Laketon, IN 46943 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- North Manchester, IN 46962 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Bippus, IN 46713 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Andrews, IN 46702 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Wabash, IN 46992 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Liberty Mills, IN 46946 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Urbana, IN?
- For ZIP code 46990, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wabash, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Urbana, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46990?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 181 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.