Plainfield, IN planting zone & frost dates
Plainfield is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 12 and the first fall frost around October 27, for a growing season of about 196 days.
Planting calendar for Plainfield
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 12) 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 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 1 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 27).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 31 | Apr 12 | Apr 28 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 7 | Oct 27 | Oct 14 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 28, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 14. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 1.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Plainfield
- 46168 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- Avon zone 6a, last frost Apr 12
- Fairfield Heights zone 6a, last frost Apr 12
- Brownsburg zone 6a, last frost Apr 12
- Speedway zone 6b, last frost Apr 12
- Indianapolis zone 6b, last frost Apr 20
- Martinsville zone 6a, last frost Apr 24
- Zionsville zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Broad Ripple zone 6b, last frost Apr 18
Questions
What growing zone is Plainfield, IN?
Plainfield 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 Plainfield?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Plainfield is April 12. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 28.
When can I plant tomatoes in Plainfield?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 19 – Apr 26. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Indianapolis Nwfo, IN (USC00124260), 10.2 km (6.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 241 m, based on 8 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.