When to plant in Richmond, IN
USDA Zone 6aRichmond, Indiana frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 6a means Richmond sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
RICHMOND WTR WKS · 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 Richmond’s own odds, recorded at RICHMOND WTR WKS.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 19 | May 3 | Apr 19 | Sep 26 | Oct 10 | Oct 22 |
| 32°F | May 10 | Apr 24 | Apr 8 | Oct 7 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 28 | Apr 10 | Mar 26 | Oct 17 | Oct 30 | 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 Richmond, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 25 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.
Richmond planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Richmond, IN?
Plan for the last spring frost in Richmond around April 24 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Richmond, IN?
Expect Richmond's first fall frost near October 20 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Richmond in?
Richmond 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 Richmond?
There are roughly 179 frost-free days in Richmond (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 24 to the first fall frost near October 20.
When should I plant tomatoes in Richmond?
In Richmond, start tomato seeds indoors around February 27–March 13, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 1 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Richmond
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Richmond’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Connersville · 29 km
- Greenville · 38 km
- Oxford · 38 km
- New Castle · 42 km
- Clayton · 48 km
- Trotwood · 49 km
- Englewood · 50 km
- Trenton · 54 km
Frost dates recorded at RICHMOND WTR WKS, 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 Richmond, IN — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00127370. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/indiana/richmond.