Elkhart, IN planting zone & frost dates
Elkhart is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 26 and the first fall frost around October 21, for a growing season of about 175 days.
Planting calendar for Elkhart
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 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 13 | Apr 26 | May 12 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 2 | Oct 21 | Oct 6 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 12, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 6. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 16.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Elkhart
- 46514 zone 6a
- 46515 zone 6a
- 46516 zone 6a
- 46517 zone 6a
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Elkhart, IN?
Elkhart 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 Elkhart?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Elkhart is April 26. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 12.
When can I plant tomatoes in Elkhart?
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 Goshen 3Sw, IN (USC00123418), 15.9 km (9.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 267 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.