Fort Wayne, IN planting zone & frost dates

Fort Wayne is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 24 and the first fall frost around October 21, for a growing season of about 178 days.

USDA hardiness zone6aavg. extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F

Average last spring frostApril 2490% chance of no frost after May 10

Average first fall frostOctober 2110% chance of frost by October 8

Growing season178 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Fort Wayne

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 24) 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 27 – Mar 13 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Peas	Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Beans	Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 26 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 21).

Useful for zone 6a 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
Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season

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Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Apr 10	Apr 24	May 10
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 1	Oct 21	Oct 8

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 10, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 8. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 12.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Fort Wayne

46801 zone 6a
46802 zone 6a
46803 zone 6a
46804 zone 6a
46805 zone 6a
46806 zone 6a
46807 zone 6a
46808 zone 6a
46809 zone 6a
46814 zone 6a
46815 zone 6a
46816 zone 6a
46818 zone 6a
46819 zone 6a
46825 zone 6a
46835 zone 6a
46845 zone 6a
46850 zone 6a
46851 zone 6a
46852 zone 6a
46853 zone 6a
46854 zone 6a
46855 zone 6a
46856 zone 6a
46857 zone 6a
46858 zone 6a
46859 zone 6a
46860 zone 6a
46861 zone 6a
46862 zone 6a
46863 zone 6a
46864 zone 6a
46865 zone 6a
46866 zone 6a
46867 zone 6a
46868 zone 6a
46869 zone 6a
46885 zone 6a
46895 zone 6a
46896 zone 6a
46897 zone 6a
46898 zone 6a
46899 zone 6a

Nearby cities

New Haven zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
Auburn zone 6a, last frost May 2
Bluffton zone 6a, last frost Apr 24
Huntington zone 6a, last frost May 1
Warsaw zone 6a, last frost Apr 28
Wabash zone 6a, last frost Apr 23
Marion zone 6a, last frost Apr 26
Goshen zone 6a, last frost Apr 26

All cities in Indiana → · Other zone 6a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Fort Wayne, IN?

Fort Wayne is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in Fort Wayne?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Fort Wayne is April 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 10.

When can I plant tomatoes in Fort Wayne?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 1 – May 8. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Ft Wayne Intl Ap, IN (USW00014827), 18.9 km (11.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 241 m, based on 30 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.