Frost dates for 47307Muncie, IN
The average last spring frost in Muncie is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 14 · Apr 28 · May 14 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 9 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 23 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Muncie
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 47307 is matched to the NOAA station Muncie Delaware Co Ap, IN, 9 km away, at 937 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muncie Delaware Co Ap, IN (used) | 937 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
| Anderson Sewage Plt, IN | 841 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Farmland 5 Nnw, IN | 965 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 16 |
| New Castle 3 Sw, IN | 991 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Muncie
- Yorktown, IN 47396 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Muncie, IN 47302 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Daleville, IN 47334 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Oakville, IN 47367 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Springport, IN 47386 · last Apr 27, first Oct 17
- Selma, IN 47383 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Middletown, IN 47356 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Gaston, IN 47342 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Muncie, IN?
- For ZIP code 47307, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Muncie Delaware Co Ap, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Muncie, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 47307?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.