Last frost date in Portage, IN

Average last frost
April 22

Expect the last frost in Portage around April 22. Frost after May 8 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 27, which leaves 188 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 15 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 8
Average first frost
Oct 27
Frost-free season
188 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 8
Next 7 nights in Portage

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2245°
  2. FriOct 2346°
  3. SatOct 2448°
  4. SunOct 2550°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2745°
  7. WedOct 2846°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 22First frost Oct 27188 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND188 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Indiana Dunes Nl, 5.6 miles from Portage.

Planting calendar for Portage

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Indiana.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 29–May 13
PumpkinsMay 6–May 20
SunflowersApr 22–May 13
CucumbersMay 6–May 13
CornApr 29–May 13
Sweet potatoesMay 13–May 27
WatermelonMay 6–May 20
Green beansApr 29–May 20
ZucchiniApr 29–May 13
OkraMay 13–May 27
PeppersMay 6–May 20
BasilApr 29–May 13
Butternut squashApr 29–May 13
CantaloupeMay 6–May 20
EggplantMay 6–May 20
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 25–Apr 8
OnionsMar 11–Apr 1
CarrotsApr 1–May 6
LettuceApr 8–Apr 29
BroccoliMar 25–Apr 8
BeetsMar 25–May 6
PeasMar 11–Mar 25
CabbageMar 25–Apr 8
RadishesMar 18–Apr 29
Brussels sproutsApr 8–Apr 22
SpinachMar 11–Apr 1
CilantroApr 8–Apr 29
KaleMar 25–Apr 8
Collard greensMar 25–Apr 8
TurnipsMar 25–Apr 8
DillApr 22–May 6
CeleryApr 29–May 6
CauliflowerApr 8–Apr 22
LeeksApr 8–Apr 22
Swiss chardApr 8–May 6
ParsleyApr 8–Apr 29
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 13–Nov 17
GarlicOct 6–Nov 10
Daffodil bulbsSep 29–Nov 10
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 25–Apr 8
AsparagusMar 25–Apr 8

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 7Apr 22May 8Oct 15Oct 27Nov 9
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 26Apr 8Apr 23Oct 26Nov 7Nov 25

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 Indiana Dunes Nl (USC00124244) sits 5.6 miles from the center of Portage at 680 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 Portage, IN?

The average last frost date in Portage is April 22, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 8.

When is the first frost in Portage?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 27. One year in ten it arrives before October 15.

How long is the growing season in Portage?

About 188 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Portage?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 29 to May 13. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Indiana

All 49 cities in Indiana