Bluffton 6N, IN Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Bluffton 6N garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 24
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 20
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
179 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 10 Apr 24 May 9
First fall frost Nov 3 Oct 20 Oct 6
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 12 · first Nov 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the BLUFFTON 6N station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Bluffton 6N

Computed from Bluffton 6N's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 27 – Mar 13 May 1 – May 8
🫑 Peppers Feb 13 – Feb 27 May 8 – May 15
🥬 Lettuce Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Mar 27 – Apr 24
🫛 Peas Mar 13 – Mar 27
🥕 Carrots Apr 3 – Apr 24
🥦 Broccoli Mar 6 – Mar 20 Apr 3 – Apr 17
🥬 Kale Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Mar 27 – Apr 10
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 27 – Apr 3 May 1 – May 8 May 1 – May 8
🥒 Zucchini Mar 27 – Apr 3 May 1 – May 8 May 1 – May 8
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 1 – May 8
🌽 Sweet Corn May 1 – May 8
🌿 Basil Mar 13 – Mar 27 May 1 – May 8 May 8 – May 15
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 8 – Oct 6

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Bluffton 6N's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Bluffton 6N

Roughly 179 frost-free days gives Bluffton 6N gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 24; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 20 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Bluffton 6N, IN?

The average last spring frost in Bluffton 6N is around Apr 24, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Bluffton 6N, IN?

The average first fall frost in Bluffton 6N arrives around Oct 20. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Bluffton 6N?

About 179 frost-free days on average, from Apr 24 to Oct 20. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Bluffton 6N in?

USDA zone 6a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.