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Planting Calendar for Lowell, IN

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The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on October 11 (at LOWELL, IN climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 23-Sep 27
Moon Sep 2-17
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 19-Aug 16
Moon Jul 22-Aug 3
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Aug 2-23
Moon Aug 4-19
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jul 12-19
Moon Jul 12-19
Frost Aug 2-16
Moon Aug 4-16
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 21-Jul 5
Moon Jun 21
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jul 12-19
Moon Jul 12-19
Frost Aug 2-9
Moon Aug 4-9
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 26-Aug 2
Moon Jul 26-Aug 2
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jul 5-12
Moon Jul 5-12
Frost Jul 19-26
Moon Jul 19-21
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 19-Aug 16
Moon Jul 19-21, Aug 4-16
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jul 12-26
Moon Jul 12-21
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 25-Nov 7
Moon Oct 25-31
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 26-Aug 9
Moon Aug 4-9
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Aug 2-16
Moon Aug 4-16
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Aug 9-30
Moon Aug 9-19
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Aug 2-16
Moon Aug 4-16
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Aug 9-30
Moon Aug 9-19
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Aug 2-16
Moon Aug 4-16
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Aug 30-Sep 13
Moon Aug 30-Sep 1
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 23-Sep 13
Moon Sep 2-13
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Aug 2-16
Moon Aug 4-16
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Aug 9-23
Moon Aug 20-23
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 4 (at LOWELL, IN climate station, elevation 666 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 13-23
Frost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 8-13
Sep 13
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 24-May 4
May 4
BasilFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost May 18-Jun 1
Moon May 18-23
Frost May 18-Jun 1
Moon May 18-23
Aug 30
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 24-May 4
Frost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 6-7
May 18
Bell PeppersFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
N/AJul 19
Bok ChoyFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Jun 15
BroccoliFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 20-23
Frost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 8-13
Aug 9
Brussels SproutsFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 20-23
Frost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 8-13
Jul 5
CabbageFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 20-23
Frost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 8-13
May 11
CantaloupesFrost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 13-23
Frost May 4-18
Moon May 7-18
Frost May 11-18
Moon May 11-18
Jul 5
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 6-7
Aug 2
CauliflowerFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost Apr 27-May 11
Moon May 7-11
N/AJul 26
CeleryFrost Feb 9-23
Moon Feb 9-23
Frost May 11-25
Moon May 11-23
Frost May 4
Aug 2
ChivesFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Apr 13-20
Moon Apr 13-20
Frost Apr 13-20
Moon Apr 13-20
Aug 16
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 4-18
Moon May 7-18
May 25
CollardsFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 20-23
Frost Apr 13-20
Moon Apr 13-20
Aug 2
CucumbersFrost Apr 13-20
Moon Apr 13-20
Frost May 11-25
Moon May 11-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Aug 2
DillN/AN/AFrost Apr 27-May 18
Moon May 7-18
Aug 16
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Jul 5
EggplantsFrost Mar 8-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
N/AAug 2
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 8-13
May 18
FennelFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost May 11-18
Moon May 11-18
Frost May 4-18
Moon May 7-18
Jul 26
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 11-Jun 1
Moon May 11-23
Aug 2
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 13-20
Moon Apr 13-20
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Jul 12
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
N/A
KaleFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 20-23
Frost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 8-13
May 18
KohlrabiFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost Apr 13-20
Moon Apr 13-20
Frost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 8-13
May 18
LeeksFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 13-23
N/AJun 28
LettuceFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost Apr 13-20
Moon Apr 13-20
Frost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 8-13
May 18
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 8-20
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Frost May 18-Jun 1
Moon May 18-23
Aug 2
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 6-7
N/AJul 5
OreganoFrost Feb 23-Mar 23
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost May 11-25
Moon May 11-23
N/AAug 2
ParsleyFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost May 11-25
Moon May 11-23
Frost Apr 6-May 11
Moon Apr 8-23
Jul 26
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 6-7
Jul 5
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost May 25-Jun 8
Moon May 25-Jun 5
PeasN/AN/AFrost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 8-13
May 18
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 6-7
Aug 2
PumpkinsFrost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 13-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Jun 28
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 6-7
Aug 16
RosemaryFrost Feb 9-23
Moon Feb 9-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
N/AAug 16
SageFrost Mar 8-23
Frost May 11-25
Moon May 11-23
N/AJul 26
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 6-7
Jul 5
SpinachFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost Apr 13-20
Moon Apr 13-20
Frost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 8-13
May 18
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 18-Jun 1
Moon May 18-23
Jul 26
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 18-Jun 1
Moon May 24-Jun 1
Jun 28
Swiss ChardFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 20-23
Frost Apr 13-May 4
Moon Apr 13-23
May 18
ThymeFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost May 11-18
Moon May 11-18
N/AJul 19
TomatillosFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost May 18-Jun 1
Moon May 18-23
N/AJul 26
TomatoesFrost Mar 8-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
N/AJul 12
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 6-13
Moon Apr 6-7
Sep 13
WatermelonsFrost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 13-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Frost May 11-18
Moon May 11-18
Jul 12
Winter SquashFrost Apr 13-20
Moon Apr 13-20
Frost May 11-25
Moon May 11-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Jun 21
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 13-20
Moon Apr 13-20
Frost May 11-25
Moon May 11-23
Frost May 18-25
Moon May 18-23
Aug 9
The Old Farmer's Store