Frost dates for 47463Stanford, IN
The average last spring frost in Stanford is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 185 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 185 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (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 13 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 5 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 185 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stanford
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 47463 is matched to the NOAA station Bloomington Monroe Co Ap, IN, 6.9 km away, at 844 ft elevation (132 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington Monroe Co Ap, IN (used) | 844 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
| Bloomington Indiana Univ, IN | 830 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| Bedford 5 Wnw, IN | 760 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
| Spencer, IN | 549 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Stanford
- Solsberry, IN 47459 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Bloomington, IN 47403 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Harrodsburg, IN 47434 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Smithville, IN 47458 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Springville, IN 47462 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Clear Creek, IN 47426 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Bloomfield, IN 47424 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Ellettsville, IN 47429 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stanford, IN?
- For ZIP code 47463, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bloomington Monroe Co Ap, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Stanford, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 47463?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 185 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.