Last frost date in Richmond, IN

Average last frost
April 24

The average last frost in Richmond is April 24. By May 10 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 20, which leaves 180 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 7 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 10
Average first frost
Oct 20
Frost-free season
180 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 10
Next 7 nights in Richmond

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 20.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2243°
  2. FriOct 2342°
  3. SatOct 2442°
  4. SunOct 2544°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2746°
  7. WedOct 2844°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 24First frost Oct 20180 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND180 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Richmond Wtr Wks, 1.7 miles from Richmond.

Planting calendar for Richmond

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
TomatoesMay 1–May 15
PumpkinsMay 8–May 22
SunflowersApr 24–May 15
CucumbersMay 8–May 15
CornMay 1–May 15
Sweet potatoesMay 15–May 29
WatermelonMay 8–May 22
Green beansMay 1–May 22
ZucchiniMay 1–May 15
OkraMay 15–May 29
PeppersMay 8–May 22
BasilMay 1–May 15
Butternut squashMay 1–May 15
CantaloupeMay 8–May 22
EggplantMay 8–May 22
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 27–Apr 10
OnionsMar 13–Apr 3
CarrotsApr 3–May 8
LettuceApr 10–May 1
BroccoliMar 27–Apr 10
BeetsMar 27–May 8
PeasMar 13–Mar 27
CabbageMar 27–Apr 10
RadishesMar 20–May 1
Brussels sproutsApr 10–Apr 24
SpinachMar 13–Apr 3
CilantroApr 10–May 1
KaleMar 27–Apr 10
Collard greensMar 27–Apr 10
TurnipsMar 27–Apr 10
DillApr 24–May 8
CeleryMay 1–May 8
CauliflowerApr 10–Apr 24
LeeksApr 10–Apr 24
Swiss chardApr 10–May 8
ParsleyApr 10–May 1
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 6–Nov 10
GarlicSep 29–Nov 3
Daffodil bulbsSep 22–Nov 3
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 27–Apr 10
AsparagusMar 27–Apr 10

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 8Apr 24May 10Oct 7Oct 20Nov 1
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 26Apr 10Apr 28Oct 17Oct 30Nov 12

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 Richmond Wtr Wks (USC00127370) sits 1.7 miles from the center of Richmond at 1,005 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 Richmond, IN?

The average last frost date in Richmond is April 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 10.

When is the first frost in Richmond?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 20. One year in ten it arrives before October 7.

How long is the growing season in Richmond?

About 180 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Richmond?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 1 to May 15. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Indiana

All 49 cities in Indiana