Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 46240 (Indianapolis city (balance), IN)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Castleton 2 S, IN (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)190 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 46240 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-April to early May.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 26: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 3 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 18 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 6 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 26 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 7 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 30 | Oct 16 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 5 | Nov 5 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 46240
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 26). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 7–21 | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 7–21 | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Mar 28–Apr 18 (transplant) Mar 21–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 21 (transplant) Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 7–28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 21 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) Mar 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) Jul 20–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Mar 21–Apr 18 (transplant) Mar 21–Apr 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) Jul 20–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 7–21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 7–21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | Jul 6–27 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) Mar 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 21–Apr 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 21–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 7–21 | Apr 4–25 (transplant) Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 21–Apr 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 28–Apr 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 14–Apr 25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 21–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 28–Apr 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 21–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 7–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | Jul 6–20 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 21–28 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 21–28 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 21–28 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 21–28 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 21–28 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 7–21 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 7–21 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Mar 28–Apr 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 18–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 18–May 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Castleton 2 S, IN (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00121326), elevation 824 ft, 4.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel 3 E, IN | 5 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Indianapolis Eagle Creek AP, IN | 11 mi | Apr 12 | Oct 29 |
| Indianapolis SE Side, IN | 13 mi | Apr 20 | Oct 21 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 46240
When is the last frost in 46240?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 46240 is April 18. For a more cautious planting date, use May 6, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 46240?
The average first fall freeze is October 26. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 12.
What hardiness zone is 46240?
ZIP 46240 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 46240 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
46280 Carmel 46290 Carmel 46220 Indianapolis city (balance) 46260 Indianapolis city (balance) 46250 Indianapolis city (balance) 46032 Carmel 46205 Indianapolis city (balance) 46033 Carmel
Other ZIP codes in Marion County
46107 46183 46201 46202 46203 46204 46205 46206 46208 46214 46216 46217 46218 46219 46220 46221 46222 46224 46225 46226 46227 46228 46229 46235 All Marion County frost dates · Indiana frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.