FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Indiana

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in Evansville and as late as May 9 in Auburn.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
IndianapolisFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
Fort WayneFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
EvansvilleFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
South BendFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
CarmelFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
BloomingtonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
HammondFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
GaryFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
FishersFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
LafayetteMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
MuncieFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
Terre HauteFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
NoblesvilleFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
KokomoMar 2 – Mar 16May 4 – May 11
GreenwoodFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
AndersonFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
ElkhartMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
MishawakaFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
LawrenceFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
JeffersonvilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 7 – Apr 14
ColumbusFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
West LafayetteMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
PortageFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
WestfieldFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
New AlbanyFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 7 – Apr 14
RichmondFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
MerrillvilleFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
GoshenMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
ValparaisoFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
Michigan CityFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3

Showing the 30 most populous of 88 Indiana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Indiana cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Indiana?

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in Evansville and as late as May 9 in Auburn.

When is the last frost in Indiana?

The average last spring frost in Indiana ranges from March 29 in Evansville to May 2 in Auburn, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Indiana

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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