Frost dates for 47929Chalmers, IN
The average last spring frost in Chalmers is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 23 · May 5 · May 22 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 12 · Apr 28 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chalmers
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 47929 is matched to the NOAA station Chalmers 5 W, IN, 7.8 km away, at 720 ft elevation (18 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chalmers 5 W, IN (used) | 720 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| Delphi 2 N, IN | 556 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 17 |
| W Lafayette 6 Nw, IN | 708 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Lafayette Purdue Univ Ap, IN | 599 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Chalmers
- Brookston, IN 47923 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Reynolds, IN 47980 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Yeoman, IN 47997 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Monticello, IN 47960 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Battle Ground, IN 47920 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Wolcott, IN 47995 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Delphi, IN 46923 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Idaville, IN 47950 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chalmers, IN?
- For ZIP code 47929, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chalmers 5 W, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Chalmers, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 47929?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.