Fall in zone 5bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 46302 (Porter County, IN)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Valparaiso Porter Co Muni AP, IN (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)187 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 46302 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-April to early May.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 26: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 6 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 20 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 7 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 26 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 8 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 1 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 20 | Oct 26 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 7 | Nov 7 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 46302
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 26). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Mar 30–Apr 20 (transplant) Mar 23–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 21 (transplant) Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 21 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) Jul 20–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Mar 23–Apr 20 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) Jul 20–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 9–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 9–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jul 6–27 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–27 (transplant) Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 16–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 30–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 23–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jul 6–20 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 11–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 23–30 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 23–30 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 23–30 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 23–30 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 23–30 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 9–23 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Valparaiso Porter Co Muni AP, IN (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00004846), elevation 770 ft, 8.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso Wtr Wks, IN | 11 mi | Apr 22 | Oct 25 |
| Wanatah 2 WNW, IN | 11 mi | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Wheatfield, IN | 12 mi | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 46302
When is the last frost in 46302?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 46302 is April 20. For a more cautious planting date, use May 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 46302?
The average first fall freeze is October 26. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 12.
What hardiness zone is 46302?
ZIP 46302 is in USDA zone 5b (-15 to -10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 46302 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
46341 Hebron 46385 Valparaiso 46347 Kouts 46383 Valparaiso 46393 Wheeler 46307 Crown Point 46342 Hobart 46390 Wanatah
Other ZIP codes in Porter County
46301 46304 46341 46347 46368 46383 46385 46393 All Porter County frost dates · Indiana frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.