When to plant in Bloomington, IN
USDA Zone 6bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Bloomington, Indiana — all computed from Bloomington's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 6b, Bloomington gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
BLOOMINGTON INDIANA UNIV · 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 Bloomington’s own odds, recorded at BLOOMINGTON INDIANA UNIV.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 14 | Apr 28 | Apr 11 | Oct 1 | Oct 16 | Oct 28 |
| 32°F | May 3 | Apr 15 | Mar 31 | Oct 11 | Oct 26 | Nov 9 |
| 28°F | Apr 22 | Apr 2 | Mar 19 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 | Nov 21 |
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 Bloomington, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 25 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.
Bloomington planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Bloomington, IN?
Plan for the last spring frost in Bloomington around April 15 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Bloomington, IN?
The first fall frost in Bloomington typically arrives around October 26 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Bloomington in?
Bloomington 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 Bloomington?
Bloomington has about 194 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 15) and first fall frost (October 26).
When should I plant tomatoes in Bloomington?
For Bloomington, sow tomatoes indoors about February 18–March 4 and move the seedlings out around April 22, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Bloomington
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Bloomington’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Martinsville · 29 km
- Bedford · 34 km
- Bargersville · 50 km
- Columbus · 52 km
- Franklin · 55 km
- Seymour · 60 km
- Plainfield · 60 km
- Greenwood · 61 km
Frost dates recorded at BLOOMINGTON INDIANA UNIV, 1 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 Bloomington, IN — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00120784. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/indiana/bloomington.