Frost dates for 47525Derby, IN
The average last spring frost in Derby is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 154 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 4 · Apr 19 · May 5 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 23 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 18 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 24 · Apr 9 | Oct 31 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 234 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Derby
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 47525 is matched to the NOAA station Tell City, IN, 19 km away, at 390 ft elevation (125 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tell City, IN (used) | 390 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Cannelton, IN | 402 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 7 |
| Saint Meinrad, IN | 510 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| English, IN | 510 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Derby
- Leopold, IN 47551 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Rome, IN 47574 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Union Star, KY 40171 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Stephensport, KY 40170 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Cannelton, IN 47520 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Payneville, KY 40157 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Branchville, IN 47514 · last Apr 17, first Oct 19
- Rhodelia, KY 40161 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Derby, IN?
- For ZIP code 47525, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tell City, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Derby, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 47525?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.