Frost dates for 47616Griffin, IN
The average last spring frost in Griffin is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 156 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 5 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 27 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 28 · Apr 12 | Oct 21 · Nov 5 · Nov 24 | 223 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Griffin
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 47616 is matched to the NOAA station Grayville, IL, 10.5 km away, at 435 ft elevation (48 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grayville, IL (used) | 435 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 25 |
| Albion, IL | 530 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 28 |
| Mt Carmel, IL | 430 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
| Carmi 3, IL | 335 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Griffin
- New Harmony, IN 47631 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Grayville, IL 62844 · last Apr 7, first Oct 25
- Poseyville, IN 47633 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Crossville, IL 62827 · last Apr 15, first Oct 19
- Keensburg, IL 62852 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Cynthiana, IN 47612 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Owensville, IN 47665 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Bellmont, IL 62811 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Griffin, IN?
- For ZIP code 47616, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grayville, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Griffin, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 47616?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.