When to plant daffodil bulbs in Indiana

Fall planting in Indianapolis

Sep 23–Nov 4

Across Indiana the window opens between September 18 and October 13. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.

Fall planting, Indianapolis: Sep 23–Nov 4
Last frost, Indianapolis: Apr 20

Plant from 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after the first fall frost. Daffodils root best when they go in a few weeks before the ground freezes. Deer and rodents leave them alone.

Daffodil bulbs planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

IndianapolisSep 23–Nov 4

Fort WayneSep 23–Nov 4

EvansvilleOct 13–Nov 24

CarmelSep 23–Nov 4

FishersSep 23–Nov 4

South BendSep 25–Nov 6

BloomingtonSep 28–Nov 9

NoblesvilleSep 23–Nov 4

HammondSep 22–Nov 3

LafayetteSep 20–Nov 1

GreenwoodSep 23–Nov 4

GarySep 29–Nov 10

WestfieldSep 23–Nov 4

MuncieSep 27–Nov 8

KokomoSep 20–Nov 1

Terre HauteSep 21–Nov 2

AndersonSep 25–Nov 6

JeffersonvilleOct 12–Nov 23

ElkhartSep 23–Nov 4

ColumbusSep 27–Nov 8

MishawakaSep 25–Nov 6

LawrenceSep 28–Nov 9

West LafayetteSep 20–Nov 1

PortageSep 29–Nov 10

PlainfieldSep 29–Nov 10

New AlbanyOct 12–Nov 23

MerrillvilleSep 27–Nov 8

Crown PointSep 18–Oct 30

RichmondSep 22–Nov 3

ValparaisoSep 27–Nov 8

All 49 cities

City	Fall planting	Last frost
Indianapolis	Sep 23 to Nov 4	Apr 20
Fort Wayne	Sep 23 to Nov 4	Apr 24
Evansville	Oct 13 to Nov 24	Mar 29
Carmel	Sep 23 to Nov 4	Apr 21
Fishers	Sep 23 to Nov 4	Apr 21
South Bend	Sep 25 to Nov 6	Apr 23
Bloomington	Sep 28 to Nov 9	Apr 15
Noblesville	Sep 23 to Nov 4	Apr 21
Hammond	Sep 22 to Nov 3	Apr 23
Lafayette	Sep 20 to Nov 1	Apr 26
Greenwood	Sep 23 to Nov 4	Apr 20
Gary	Sep 29 to Nov 10	Apr 22
Westfield	Sep 23 to Nov 4	Apr 21
Muncie	Sep 27 to Nov 8	Apr 16
Kokomo	Sep 20 to Nov 1	Apr 27
Terre Haute	Sep 21 to Nov 2	Apr 15
Anderson	Sep 25 to Nov 6	Apr 19
Jeffersonville	Oct 12 to Nov 23	Mar 31
Elkhart	Sep 23 to Nov 4	Apr 26
Columbus	Sep 27 to Nov 8	Apr 11
Mishawaka	Sep 25 to Nov 6	Apr 23
Lawrence	Sep 28 to Nov 9	Apr 18
West Lafayette	Sep 20 to Nov 1	Apr 26
Portage	Sep 29 to Nov 10	Apr 22
Plainfield	Sep 29 to Nov 10	Apr 12
New Albany	Oct 12 to Nov 23	Mar 31
Merrillville	Sep 27 to Nov 8	Apr 22
Crown Point	Sep 18 to Oct 30	Apr 29
Richmond	Sep 22 to Nov 3	Apr 24
Valparaiso	Sep 27 to Nov 8	Apr 22
Goshen	Sep 23 to Nov 4	Apr 26
Brownsburg	Oct 1 to Nov 12	Apr 12
Zionsville	Sep 22 to Nov 3	Apr 21
Michigan City	Sep 29 to Nov 10	Apr 19
Granger	Sep 25 to Nov 6	Apr 23
Schererville	Sep 22 to Nov 3	Apr 23
Hobart	Sep 27 to Nov 8	Apr 22
Marion	Sep 22 to Nov 3	Apr 26
Franklin	Sep 21 to Nov 2	Apr 20
Greenfield	Sep 24 to Nov 5	Apr 19
East Chicago	Sep 22 to Nov 3	Apr 23
Avon	Oct 1 to Nov 12	Apr 12
St. John	Sep 22 to Nov 3	Apr 23
Munster	Sep 22 to Nov 3	Apr 23
Highland	Sep 22 to Nov 3	Apr 23
La Porte	Sep 29 to Nov 10	Apr 19
Seymour	Sep 23 to Nov 4	Apr 16
Clarksville	Oct 12 to Nov 23	Mar 31
Shelbyville	Sep 24 to Nov 5	Apr 17

Questions

When should I plant daffodil bulbs in Indiana?

In Indianapolis, fall planting from September 23 to November 4. Across Indiana the window opens between September 18 and October 13, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Plant from 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after the first fall frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.