Evansville, IN planting zone & frost dates
Evansville is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 29 and the first fall frost around November 10, for a growing season of about 225 days.
Planting calendar for Evansville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 29) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 15 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 10).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 14 | Mar 29 | Apr 11 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 25 | Nov 10 | Oct 27 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 11, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 27. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 18.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Evansville
- 47701 zone 7a
- 47702 zone 7a
- 47703 zone 7a
- 47704 zone 7a
- 47705 zone 7a
- 47706 zone 7a
- 47708 zone 7a
- 47710 zone 7a
- 47711 zone 7a
- 47712 zone 7a
- 47713 zone 7a
- 47714 zone 7a
- 47715 zone 7a
- 47716 zone 7a
- 47719 zone 7a
- 47720 zone 7a
- 47721 zone 7a
- 47724 zone 7a
- 47725 zone 7a
- 47728 zone 7a
- 47730 zone 7a
- 47731 zone 7a
- 47732 zone 7a
- 47733 zone 7a
- 47734 zone 7a
- 47735 zone 7a
- 47736 zone 7a
- 47737 zone 7a
- 47740 zone 7a
- 47747 zone 7a
- 47750 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Vincennes zone 6b, last frost Apr 11
- Jasper zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
- Washington zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
- Bedford zone 6b, last frost Apr 20
- Terre Haute zone 6a, last frost Apr 15
- Bloomington zone 6b, last frost Apr 15
- New Albany zone 7a, last frost Mar 31
- Greencastle zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
Questions
What growing zone is Evansville, IN?
Evansville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Evansville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Evansville is March 29. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 11.
When can I plant tomatoes in Evansville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 5 – Apr 12. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Evansville Museum, IN (USC00122731), 1.9 km (1.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 114 m, based on 18 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.