When to plant in Franklin, IN
USDA Zone 6bFranklin, Indiana frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 6b means Franklin sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
FRANKLIN WWTP · 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 Franklin’s own odds, recorded at FRANKLIN WWTP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 16 | May 1 | Apr 18 | Sep 29 | Oct 10 | Oct 23 |
| 32°F | May 7 | Apr 20 | Apr 7 | Oct 7 | Oct 19 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 24 | Apr 8 | Mar 25 | Oct 17 | Oct 29 | 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 Franklin, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 23 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.
Franklin planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Franklin, IN?
Franklin's average last spring frost falls near April 20 — 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 Franklin, IN?
Expect Franklin's first fall frost near October 19 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Franklin in?
Franklin 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 Franklin?
There are roughly 182 frost-free days in Franklin (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 20 to the first fall frost near October 19.
When should I plant tomatoes in Franklin?
In Franklin, 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 Franklin
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Franklin’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Greenwood · 13 km
- Bargersville · 14 km
- Shelbyville · 24 km
- Beech Grove · 25 km
- Indianapolis · 32 km
- Columbus · 34 km
- Martinsville · 34 km
- Plainfield · 35 km
Frost dates recorded at FRANKLIN WWTP, 3 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 Franklin, IN — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00123091. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/indiana/franklin.