Last frost date in Bloomington, IN
Expect the last frost in Bloomington around April 15. Frost after May 3 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 26, which leaves 192 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 11 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 3
- Average first frost
- Oct 26
- Frost-free season
- 192 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 2
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2243°
- FriOct 2343°
- SatOct 2443°
- SunOct 2545°
- MonOct 2646°
- TueOct 2747°
- WedOct 2845°
Planting calendar for Bloomington
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Indiana.
TomatoesApr 22–May 6
PumpkinsApr 29–May 13
SunflowersApr 15–May 6
CucumbersApr 29–May 6
CornApr 22–May 6
Sweet potatoesMay 6–May 20
WatermelonApr 29–May 13
Green beansApr 22–May 13
ZucchiniApr 22–May 6
OkraMay 6–May 20
PeppersApr 29–May 13
BasilApr 22–May 6
Butternut squashApr 22–May 6
CantaloupeApr 29–May 13
EggplantApr 29–May 13
PotatoesMar 18–Apr 1
OnionsMar 4–Mar 25
CarrotsMar 25–Apr 29
LettuceApr 1–Apr 22
BroccoliMar 18–Apr 1
BeetsMar 18–Apr 29
PeasMar 4–Mar 18
CabbageMar 18–Apr 1
RadishesMar 11–Apr 22
Brussels sproutsApr 1–Apr 15
SpinachMar 4–Mar 25
CilantroApr 1–Apr 22
KaleMar 18–Apr 1
Collard greensMar 18–Apr 1
TurnipsMar 18–Apr 1
DillApr 15–Apr 29
CeleryApr 22–Apr 29
CauliflowerApr 1–Apr 15
LeeksApr 1–Apr 15
Swiss chardApr 1–Apr 29
ParsleyApr 1–Apr 22
Tulip bulbsOct 12–Nov 16
GarlicOct 5–Nov 9
Daffodil bulbsSep 28–Nov 9
StrawberriesMar 18–Apr 1
AsparagusMar 18–Apr 1Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 31 | Apr 15 | May 3 | Oct 11 | Oct 26 | Nov 9 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 19 | Apr 2 | Apr 22 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 | Nov 21 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Bloomington Indiana University (USC00120784) sits 0.7 miles from the center of Bloomington at 830 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in Bloomington, IN?
The average last frost date in Bloomington is April 15, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 3.
When is the first frost in Bloomington?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 26. One year in ten it arrives before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Bloomington?
About 192 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Bloomington?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 22 to May 6. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Indiana
- ColumbusApr 11
- FranklinApr 20
- SeymourApr 16
- PlainfieldApr 12
- GreenwoodApr 20
- AvonApr 12
- IndianapolisApr 20
- BrownsburgApr 12
- ShelbyvilleApr 17
- Terre HauteApr 15
- LawrenceApr 18
- ZionsvilleApr 21