Frost dates for 47421Bedford, IN
The average last spring frost in Bedford is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 181 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 181 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 16 · May 1 · May 18 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 7 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Oct 30 | 181 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 7 · Apr 25 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bedford
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 47421 is matched to the NOAA station Oolitic Purdue Ex Fm, IN, 5.8 km away, at 652 ft elevation (57 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oolitic Purdue Ex Fm, IN (used) | 652 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
| Bedford 5 Wnw, IN | 760 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
| Crane Nsa, IN | 730 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
| Bloomington Monroe Co Ap, IN | 844 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Bedford
- Oolitic, IN 47451 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Avoca, IN 47420 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Heltonville, IN 47436 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Springville, IN 47462 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Mitchell, IN 47446 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Harrodsburg, IN 47434 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Williams, IN 47470 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Tunnelton, IN 47467 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bedford, IN?
- For ZIP code 47421, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oolitic Purdue Ex Fm, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Bedford, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. 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 47421?
- 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.