When to Plant Tomatoes in Indiana
In Indiana, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 5 – Apr 19 in Evansville to May 6 – May 20 in Crown Point. In Indianapolis city, it's Apr 27 – May 11. The average last spring frost differs by about 4 weeks across the state (Mar 29 in Evansville, Apr 29 in Crown Point), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Indiana by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Bloomington | 6b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Brownsburg | 6a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Carmel | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Columbus | 6b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Crown Point | 5b | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| East Chicago | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Elkhart | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Evansville | 7a | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Fishers | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Fort Wayne | 6a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Franklin | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Gary | 6a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Goshen | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Greenfield | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Greenwood | 6a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Hammond | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Hobart | 6a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Indianapolis city | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Jeffersonville | 7a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Kokomo | 6a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Lafayette | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Lawrence | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Marion | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Merrillville | 6a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Michigan City | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Mishawaka | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Muncie | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| New Albany | 7a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Noblesville | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Plainfield | 6a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Portage | 6a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Richmond | 6a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Schererville | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| South Bend | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Terre Haute | 6a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Valparaiso | 6a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| West Lafayette | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Westfield | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Zionsville | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Indiana, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
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