Last frost date in Michigan City, IN
The average last frost in Michigan City is April 19. By May 3 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 27, which leaves 191 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 14 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 3
- Average first frost
- Oct 27
- Frost-free season
- 191 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 7
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2245°
- FriOct 2345°
- SatOct 2448°
- SunOct 2550°
- MonOct 2647°
- TueOct 2744°
- WedOct 2846°
Planting calendar for Michigan City
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Indiana.
TomatoesApr 26–May 10
PumpkinsMay 3–May 17
SunflowersApr 19–May 10
CucumbersMay 3–May 10
CornApr 26–May 10
Sweet potatoesMay 10–May 24
WatermelonMay 3–May 17
Green beansApr 26–May 17
ZucchiniApr 26–May 10
OkraMay 10–May 24
PeppersMay 3–May 17
BasilApr 26–May 10
Butternut squashApr 26–May 10
CantaloupeMay 3–May 17
EggplantMay 3–May 17
PotatoesMar 22–Apr 5
OnionsMar 8–Mar 29
CarrotsMar 29–May 3
LettuceApr 5–Apr 26
BroccoliMar 22–Apr 5
BeetsMar 22–May 3
PeasMar 8–Mar 22
CabbageMar 22–Apr 5
RadishesMar 15–Apr 26
Brussels sproutsApr 5–Apr 19
SpinachMar 8–Mar 29
CilantroApr 5–Apr 26
KaleMar 22–Apr 5
Collard greensMar 22–Apr 5
TurnipsMar 22–Apr 5
DillApr 19–May 3
CeleryApr 26–May 3
CauliflowerApr 5–Apr 19
LeeksApr 5–Apr 19
Swiss chardApr 5–May 3
ParsleyApr 5–Apr 26
Tulip bulbsOct 13–Nov 17
GarlicOct 6–Nov 10
Daffodil bulbsSep 29–Nov 10
StrawberriesMar 22–Apr 5
AsparagusMar 22–Apr 5Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 5 | Apr 19 | May 3 | Oct 14 | Oct 27 | Nov 9 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 25 | Apr 7 | Apr 22 | Oct 26 | Nov 7 | Nov 23 |
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 Laporte (USC00124837) sits 9.8 miles from the center of Michigan City at 809 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 Michigan City, IN?
The average last frost date in Michigan City is April 19, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 3.
When is the first frost in Michigan City?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 27. One year in ten it arrives before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Michigan City?
About 191 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Michigan City?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 26 to May 10. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Indiana
- La PorteApr 19
- PortageApr 22
- ValparaisoApr 22
- HobartApr 22
- GaryApr 22
- MerrillvilleApr 22
- East ChicagoApr 23
- South BendApr 23
- Crown PointApr 29
- HighlandApr 23
- HammondApr 23
- ScherervilleApr 23