Madison, IN planting zone & frost dates
Madison is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 11 and the first fall frost around October 31, for a growing season of about 201 days.
Planting calendar for Madison
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 11) 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 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 5 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 31).
Useful for zone 6b 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 | Mar 28 | Apr 11 | Apr 28 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 14 | Oct 31 | Oct 15 |
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 15. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 31.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Madison
- 47250 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- North Madison zone 6b, last frost Apr 11
- Seymour zone 6b, last frost Apr 16
- Clarksville zone 7a, last frost Mar 31
- Jeffersonville zone 7a, last frost Mar 31
- Greensburg zone 6b, last frost Apr 15
- New Albany zone 7a, last frost Mar 31
- Columbus zone 6b, last frost Apr 11
- Shelbyville zone 6a, last frost Apr 17
Questions
What growing zone is Madison, IN?
Madison is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Madison?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Madison is April 11. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 28.
When can I plant tomatoes in Madison?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 18 – Apr 25. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Madison Sewage Plt, IN (USC00125237), 1.2 km (0.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 140 m, based on 19 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.