Frost dates for 47596Westphalia, IN
The average last spring frost in Westphalia is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 159 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 6 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 180 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 9 · Apr 24 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 30 · Apr 14 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 26 | 223 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Westphalia
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 47596 is matched to the NOAA station Freelandville, IN, 7.2 km away, at 550 ft elevation (87 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelandville, IN (used) | 550 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 30 |
| Elnora, IN | 480 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 25 |
| Washington 1 W, IN | 482 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 25 |
| Vincennes 5 Ne, IN | 452 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Westphalia
- Sandborn, IN 47578 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Edwardsport, IN 47528 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Freelandville, IN 47535 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Plainville, IN 47568 · last Apr 10, first Oct 25
- Elnora, IN 47529 · last Apr 9, first Oct 25
- Bicknell, IN 47512 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Oaktown, IN 47561 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Ragsdale, IN 47573 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Westphalia, IN?
- For ZIP code 47596, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Freelandville, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Westphalia, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 47596?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.