Frost dates for 47452Orleans, IN
The average last spring frost in Orleans is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 178 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 17 · May 1 · May 17 | Sep 28 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 21 · May 7 | Oct 6 · Oct 18 · Oct 29 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 8 · Apr 25 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Orleans
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 47452 is matched to the NOAA station Paoli, IN, 11.2 km away, at 560 ft elevation (67 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paoli, IN (used) | 560 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 18 |
| Oolitic Purdue Ex Fm, IN | 652 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
| Bedford 5 Wnw, IN | 760 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
| Dubois S In Forage Fm, IN | 690 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Orleans
- Mitchell, IN 47446 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Paoli, IN 47454 · last Apr 21, first Oct 18
- West Baden Springs, IN 47469 · last Apr 21, first Oct 18
- Tunnelton, IN 47467 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Campbellsburg, IN 47108 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- French Lick, IN 47432 · last Apr 25, first Oct 15
- Williams, IN 47470 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Huron, IN 47437 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Orleans, IN?
- For ZIP code 47452, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Paoli, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Orleans, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. 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 47452?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.