When to plant in Madison, IN
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Madison, Indiana — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6b, Madison gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
The average last spring frost in Madison is now 5 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
MADISON SEWAGE PLT · 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 Madison’s own odds, recorded at MADISON SEWAGE PLT.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 8 | Apr 22 | Apr 9 | Oct 6 | Oct 21 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F | Apr 28 | Apr 11 | Mar 28 | Oct 15 | Oct 31 | Nov 14 |
| 28°F | Apr 16 | Mar 31 | Mar 16 | Oct 29 | Nov 10 | Nov 29 |
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 Madison, 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.
Madison planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Madison, IN?
On average, the last spring frost in Madison is around April 11 (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 Madison, IN?
The first fall frost in Madison typically arrives around October 31 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Madison in?
Madison 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 Madison?
Madison has about 203 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 11) and first fall frost (October 31).
When should I plant tomatoes in Madison?
For Madison, sow tomatoes indoors about February 14–February 28 and move the seedlings out around April 18, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Madison
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Madison’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- La Grange · 40 km
- Seymour · 47 km
- Sellersburg · 52 km
- Jeffersonville · 54 km
- Lyndon · 58 km
- Clarksville · 58 km
- St. Matthews · 60 km
- New Albany · 62 km
Frost dates recorded at MADISON SEWAGE PLT, 2 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 Madison, IN — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00125237. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/indiana/madison.