When to plant in Lowell, IN
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Lowell, Indiana — all computed from Lowell's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5b means Lowell 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 Lowell’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 Lowell, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 32 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.
Lowell planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lowell, IN?
On average, the last spring frost in Lowell is around April 29 (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 Lowell, IN?
In Lowell, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 16 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Lowell in?
Lowell 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 Lowell?
There are roughly 170 frost-free days in Lowell (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 Lowell?
In Lowell, 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 Lowell
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lowell’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Cedar Lake · 9 km
- Crown Point · 15 km
- St. John · 17 km
- Schererville · 22 km
- Merrillville · 22 km
- Dyer · 24 km
- Griffith · 26 km
- Hobart · 28 km
Frost dates recorded at LOWELL, 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 Lowell, IN — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00125174. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/indiana/lowell.