When is the last frost in Elkhart, IN?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Elkhart is around April 26, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Goshen 3sw, IN station (12.4 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Elkhart?

The average first fall frost in Elkhart, IN is around October 21, giving roughly a 175-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Elkhart, IN?

Elkhart is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -10 to -5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Elkhart?

In Elkhart, IN the warmest month is July (avg high 83.3°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 17.8°F). It averages about 39.9″ of precipitation a year and 45.2″ of snow.

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Elkhart, IN Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 46514 · elevation 267′ · NOAA & USDA data

Elkhart is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 175 days between the average last spring frost (April 26) and first fall frost (October 21). The warmest month is July (avg high 83.3°F); the coldest is January (avg low 17.8°F). It averages 39.9″ of precipitation a year and 45.2″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -10 to -5°F

Last spring frost

April 26

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 21

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

175 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 83.3°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Elkhart

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Goshen 3sw, IN (12.4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	31.7	17.8	24.7	2.8	13.8
February	35.5	20.2	27.9	2.3	11.4
March	47.2	28.8	38	2.4	5.4
April	60.3	38.7	49.5	3.8	1.2
May	71.7	49.9	60.8	4.3	0
June	80.4	59.6	70	4.1	0
July	83.3	62.8	73.1	4	0
August	81.3	61.3	71.3	4.1	0
September	75.2	53.9	64.5	3.3	0
October	62.8	43.3	53	3.3	0.1
November	48.4	32.8	40.6	3	3.4
December	36.5	23.7	30.1	2.5	9.9

What to plant when in Elkhart

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 15 · Transplant out: May 3
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 1 · Transplant out: May 10
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 3
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 22 · Sow (fall): August 26
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 15 · Sow (fall): August 26
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 29 · Sow (fall): August 26
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 5 · Sow (fall): August 12
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 12
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 5 · Sow (fall): August 12
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 29
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 12
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 29 · Sow (fall): September 9

Dates are computed from Elkhart's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Indiana

Mishawaka, IN South Bend, IN Fort Wayne, IN Gary, IN Hammond, IN Kokomo, IN Lafayette, IN Anderson, IN

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Goshen 3sw, IN, 12.4 mi (confidence: medium). Monthly weather normals: Goshen 3sw, IN, 12.4 mi (confidence: medium). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.