Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for Rochester, IN
ℹ️ How to read these charts for the spring
As spring unfolds, the risk of frost gradually decreases each day until your tender plants are finally safe. The probabilities shown in the chart help you make smart decisions about when to plant.
While frost typically forms at 32°F, tender plants can be damaged even when temperatures are slightly higher. Air temperatures are often measured several feet above the ground, but temperatures at plant level can be several degrees colder. Protected areas like porches help by blocking radiational cooling. Given these variables, we consider 36°F the "caution zone" for frost-sensitive plants.
Key dates for your spring planting:
- By May 25, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
- Around May 8, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
- Before April 27, there's still an 80% risk of frost — too early for tomatoes and other tender plants unless you're prepared to protect them
If the 10-day forecast shows no temperatures below 40°F, you might safely plant earlier than the above dates suggest. Many gardeners watch for this weather window to get a head start on the growing season.
| Temperature | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last 16° | Mar 29 | Mar 24 | Mar 19 | Mar 16 | Mar 13 | Mar 9 | Mar 6 | Mar 2 | Feb 24 |
| Last 20° | Apr 11 | Apr 5 | Apr 1 | Mar 28 | Mar 24 | Mar 21 | Mar 17 | Mar 12 | Mar 6 |
| Last 24° | Apr 18 | Apr 14 | Apr 11 | Apr 8 | Apr 6 | Apr 4 | Apr 2 | Mar 30 | Mar 26 |
| Last 28° | Apr 28 | Apr 23 | Apr 20 | Apr 17 | Apr 14 | Apr 12 | Apr 9 | Apr 5 | Apr 1 |
| Last 32° | May 10 | May 6 | May 2 | Apr 29 | Apr 26 | Apr 23 | Apr 20 | Apr 17 | Apr 12 |
| Last 36° | May 25 | May 19 | May 15 | May 11 | May 8 | May 5 | May 1 | Apr 27 | Apr 21 |
ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall
As summer ends in Rochester, IN, nighttime temperatures begin to drop, and your risk of frost increases with each passing day. Knowing when to expect frost helps you harvest sensitive crops and extend your growing season with protection methods.
The chart below shows the probability of experiencing specific temperatures on various dates. Here's what this means for your garden:
These probabilities help you time your end-of-season harvests and know when to apply protective measures like row covers, cloches, or cold frames to extend your harvest.
| Temperature | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 16° | Nov 10 | Nov 17 | Nov 23 | Nov 27 | Dec 1 | Dec 6 | Dec 10 | Dec 15 | Dec 23 |
| First 20° | Oct 30 | Nov 6 | Nov 11 | Nov 15 | Nov 20 | Nov 24 | Nov 28 | Dec 3 | Dec 10 |
| First 24° | Oct 22 | Oct 28 | Nov 1 | Nov 5 | Nov 8 | Nov 12 | Nov 15 | Nov 20 | Nov 26 |
| First 28° | Oct 11 | Oct 16 | Oct 19 | Oct 23 | Oct 25 | Oct 28 | Oct 31 | Nov 4 | Nov 9 |
| First 32° | Sep 25 | Oct 1 | Oct 5 | Oct 9 | Oct 12 | Oct 15 | Oct 19 | Oct 23 | Oct 29 |
| First 36° | Sep 21 | Sep 25 | Sep 28 | Sep 30 | Oct 3 | Oct 5 | Oct 7 | Oct 10 | Oct 14 |
📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations
- Winamac, IN 24.5 mi
- Warsaw, IN 28.6 mi
- Wabash, IN 34.9 mi
- Goshen, IN 41.4 mi
- Kokomo, IN 42.8 mi
- Delphi, IN 43.5 mi
- South Bend Ap, IN 44.2 mi
- Laporte, IN 50.6 mi
- Columbia City, IN 51.8 mi
- Marion, IN 52.5 mi
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Data is provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.