When to plant in Cedar Lake, IN
USDA Zone 5bCedar Lake, Indiana frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 5b means Cedar Lake sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
LOWELL · 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 Cedar Lake’s own odds, recorded at LOWELL.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 25 | May 8 | Apr 25 | Sep 23 | Oct 6 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 14 | Apr 29 | Apr 14 | Oct 3 | Oct 16 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F | May 3 | Apr 16 | Apr 1 | Oct 13 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 |
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 Cedar Lake, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 37 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.
Cedar Lake planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Cedar Lake, IN?
Cedar Lake's average last spring frost falls near April 29 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Cedar Lake, IN?
The first fall frost in Cedar Lake typically arrives around October 16 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Cedar Lake in?
Cedar Lake is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Cedar Lake?
There are roughly 170 frost-free days in Cedar Lake (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 29 to the first fall frost near October 16.
When should I plant tomatoes in Cedar Lake?
In Cedar Lake, start tomato seeds indoors around March 4–March 18, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 6 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Cedar Lake
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Cedar Lake’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- St. John · 8 km
- Crown Point · 9 km
- Lowell · 9 km
- Schererville · 13 km
- Dyer · 15 km
- Merrillville · 15 km
- Griffith · 17 km
- Highland · 19 km
Frost dates recorded at LOWELL, 12 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 Cedar Lake, IN — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00125174. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/indiana/cedar-lake.