When to plant in Bedford, IN
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Bedford, Indiana — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6b means Bedford sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
OOLITIC PURDUE EX FM · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Bedford’s own odds, recorded at OOLITIC PURDUE EX FM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 18 | May 1 | Apr 16 | Sep 29 | Oct 10 | Oct 22 |
| 32°F | May 7 | Apr 20 | Apr 6 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 | Oct 30 |
| 28°F | Apr 25 | Apr 7 | Mar 24 | Oct 16 | Oct 30 | Nov 12 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Bedford, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 30 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Bedford planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Bedford, IN?
On average, the last spring frost in Bedford is around April 20 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Bedford, IN?
Expect Bedford's first fall frost near October 20 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Bedford in?
Bedford is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. In zone 6b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Bedford?
There are roughly 183 frost-free days in Bedford (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 20 to the first fall frost near October 20.
When should I plant tomatoes in Bedford?
In Bedford, start tomato seeds indoors around February 23–March 9, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 27 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Bedford
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Bedford’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Bloomington · 34 km
- Seymour · 53 km
- Martinsville · 62 km
- Washington · 62 km
- Columbus · 62 km
- Jasper · 65 km
- Bargersville · 80 km
- Franklin · 80 km
Frost dates recorded at OOLITIC PURDUE EX FM, 6 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Bedford, IN — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00126580. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/indiana/bedford.