When to plant in Gary, IN
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Gary, Indiana — all computed from Gary's nearest NOAA weather station.
These dates come from a station roughly 22 km away, the closest with full normals; terrain around Gary (elevation, water, pavement) can move your real frost dates a few days either way. In zone 6a, Gary gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
INDIANA DUNES NL · 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 Gary’s own odds, recorded at INDIANA DUNES NL.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 21 | May 4 | Apr 20 | Oct 4 | Oct 16 | Oct 30 |
| 32°F | May 8 | Apr 22 | Apr 7 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 | Nov 9 |
| 28°F | Apr 23 | Apr 8 | Mar 26 | Oct 26 | Nov 7 | Nov 25 |
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 Gary, 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.
Gary planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Gary, IN?
On average, the last spring frost in Gary is around April 22 (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 Gary, IN?
The first fall frost in Gary typically arrives around October 27 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Gary in?
Gary is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Gary?
Gary has about 188 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 22) and first fall frost (October 27).
When should I plant tomatoes in Gary?
For Gary, sow tomatoes indoors about February 25–March 11 and move the seedlings out around April 29, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Gary
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Gary’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Lake Station · 8 km
- Griffith · 9 km
- Hobart · 10 km
- Highland · 10 km
- East Chicago · 11 km
- Hammond · 13 km
- Merrillville · 13 km
- Portage · 14 km
Frost dates recorded at INDIANA DUNES NL, 22 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 Gary, IN — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00124244. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/indiana/gary.