Last frost date in South Bend, IN

Average last frost
April 23

In South Bend, the last spring frost comes around April 23 in an average year. Wait until May 9 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 23, which leaves 181 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 9 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 9
Average first frost
Oct 23
Frost-free season
181 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 12
Next 7 nights in South Bend

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2243°
  2. FriOct 2344°
  3. SatOct 2446°
  4. SunOct 2547°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2743°
  7. WedOct 2844°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 23First frost Oct 23181 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND181 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at S Bend, 2.0 miles from South Bend.

Planting calendar for South Bend

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 30–May 14
PumpkinsMay 7–May 21
SunflowersApr 23–May 14
CucumbersMay 7–May 14
CornApr 30–May 14
Sweet potatoesMay 14–May 28
WatermelonMay 7–May 21
Green beansApr 30–May 21
ZucchiniApr 30–May 14
OkraMay 14–May 28
PeppersMay 7–May 21
BasilApr 30–May 14
Butternut squashApr 30–May 14
CantaloupeMay 7–May 21
EggplantMay 7–May 21
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 26–Apr 9
OnionsMar 12–Apr 2
CarrotsApr 2–May 7
LettuceApr 9–Apr 30
BroccoliMar 26–Apr 9
BeetsMar 26–May 7
PeasMar 12–Mar 26
CabbageMar 26–Apr 9
RadishesMar 19–Apr 30
Brussels sproutsApr 9–Apr 23
SpinachMar 12–Apr 2
CilantroApr 9–Apr 30
KaleMar 26–Apr 9
Collard greensMar 26–Apr 9
TurnipsMar 26–Apr 9
DillApr 23–May 7
CeleryApr 30–May 7
CauliflowerApr 9–Apr 23
LeeksApr 9–Apr 23
Swiss chardApr 9–May 7
ParsleyApr 9–Apr 30
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 9–Nov 13
GarlicOct 2–Nov 6
Daffodil bulbsSep 25–Nov 6
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 26–Apr 9
AsparagusMar 26–Apr 9

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 11Apr 23May 9Oct 9Oct 23Nov 5
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 30Apr 12Apr 28Oct 21Nov 3Nov 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 S Bend (USC00128437) sits 2.0 miles from the center of South Bend at 710 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 South Bend, IN?

The average last frost date in South Bend is April 23, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 9.

When is the first frost in South Bend?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 23. One year in ten it arrives before October 9.

How long is the growing season in South Bend?

About 181 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in South Bend?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 30 to May 14. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Indiana

All 49 cities in Indiana