When is the last frost in South Bend, IN?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in South Bend is around April 23, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the S Bend, IN station (2.1 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 South Bend?

The average first fall frost in South Bend, IN is around October 23, giving roughly a 181-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is South Bend, IN?

South Bend 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 South Bend?

In South Bend, IN the warmest month is July (avg high 82.7°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 17°F). It averages about 39.2″ of precipitation a year and 64.5″ of snow.

Home › Indiana › South Bend

South Bend, IN Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 46601 · elevation 236′ · NOAA & USDA data

South Bend is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 181 days between the average last spring frost (April 23) and first fall frost (October 23). The warmest month is July (avg high 82.7°F); the coldest is January (avg low 17°F). It averages 39.2″ of precipitation a year and 64.5″ 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 23

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 23

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

181 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 82.7°F

Month-by-month typical weather in South Bend

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at South Bend Michiana Rgnl Ap, IN (4.2 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	31.2	17	24.1	2.7	21.6
February	34.9	19.3	27.1	2.3	16.1
March	46.2	27.2	36.7	2.4	6.8
April	59	37.1	48.1	3.5	1
May	70.1	48.1	59.1	4.2	0
June	79.4	58.1	68.8	4	0
July	82.7	62.1	72.4	3.8	0
August	80.8	60.5	70.7	4	0
September	74.4	53	63.7	3.5	0
October	61.8	42.1	52	3.7	0.2
November	47.7	31.8	39.8	2.8	5.1
December	36.3	23	29.6	2.4	13.7

What to plant when in South Bend

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 12 · Transplant out: April 30
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 26 · Transplant out: May 7
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 30
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 19 · Sow (fall): August 28
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 12 · Sow (fall): August 28
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 26 · Sow (fall): August 28
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 2 · Sow (fall): August 14
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 9
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 2 · Sow (fall): August 14
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 26
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 9
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 26 · Sow (fall): September 11

Dates are computed from South Bend'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 Elkhart, IN Gary, IN Hammond, IN Fort Wayne, 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 — S Bend, IN, 2.1 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: South Bend Michiana Rgnl Ap, IN, 4.2 mi (confidence: high). 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.