When to plant in Shelbyville, IN
USDA Zone 6aShelbyville, Indiana frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 6a, Shelbyville gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
The average first fall frost in Shelbyville is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
SHELBYVILLE 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 Shelbyville’s own odds, recorded at SHELBYVILLE SEWAGE PLT.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 14 | Apr 28 | Apr 14 | Sep 29 | Oct 12 | Oct 25 |
| 32°F | May 3 | Apr 17 | Apr 3 | Oct 9 | Oct 22 | Nov 4 |
| 28°F | Apr 22 | Apr 5 | Mar 22 | Oct 19 | Nov 1 | Nov 17 |
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 Shelbyville, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 24 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.
Shelbyville planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Shelbyville, IN?
On average, the last spring frost in Shelbyville is around April 17 (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 Shelbyville, IN?
Expect Shelbyville's first fall frost near October 22 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Shelbyville in?
Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville?
Shelbyville has about 188 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 17) and first fall frost (October 22).
When should I plant tomatoes in Shelbyville?
For Shelbyville, sow tomatoes indoors about February 20–March 6 and move the seedlings out around April 24, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Shelbyville
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Shelbyville’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Franklin · 24 km
- Greenfield · 27 km
- Greenwood · 29 km
- Greensburg · 32 km
- Beech Grove · 33 km
- Bargersville · 37 km
- Columbus · 40 km
- Lawrence · 40 km
Frost dates recorded at SHELBYVILLE 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 Shelbyville, IN — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00127999. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/indiana/shelbyville.