West Lafayette, IN planting zone & frost dates
West Lafayette is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 26 and the first fall frost around October 18, for a growing season of about 173 days.
Planting calendar for West Lafayette
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 26) 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: Mar 1 – Mar 15 Transplant outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 Transplant outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 23 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 18).
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 11 | Apr 26 | May 14 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 31 | Oct 18 | Oct 4 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 14, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 4. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 13.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in West Lafayette
- 47906 zone 6a
- 47907 zone 6a
- 47996 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- Lafayette zone 6a, last frost Apr 26
- Crawfordsville zone 5b, last frost Apr 27
- Frankfort zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Lebanon zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Logansport zone 6a, last frost Apr 20
- Brownsburg zone 6a, last frost Apr 12
- Kokomo zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
- Greencastle zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
Questions
What growing zone is West Lafayette, IN?
West Lafayette 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 West Lafayette?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in West Lafayette is April 26. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 14.
When can I plant tomatoes in West Lafayette?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 3 – May 10. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Lafayette Purdue Univ Ap, IN (USW00014835), 2.9 km (1.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 183 m, based on 28 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.