Frost dates for 47581Shoals, IN
The average last spring frost in Shoals is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 164 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 12 · Apr 27 · May 14 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 2 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shoals
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 47581 is matched to the NOAA station Shoals 8 S, IN, 14.1 km away, at 477 ft elevation (94 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoals 8 S, IN (used) | 477 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| Crane Nsa, IN | 730 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
| Dubois S In Forage Fm, IN | 690 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 15 |
| Patoka Lake, IN | 561 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Shoals
- Huron, IN 47437 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Loogootee, IN 47553 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Williams, IN 47470 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- West Baden Springs, IN 47469 · last Apr 21, first Oct 18
- Cannelburg, IN 47519 · last Apr 10, first Oct 25
- French Lick, IN 47432 · last Apr 25, first Oct 15
- Dubois, IN 47527 · last Apr 25, first Oct 15
- Odon, IN 47562 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shoals, IN?
- For ZIP code 47581, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Shoals 8 S, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Shoals, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 47581?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.