Planting calendar for Indianapolis, Indiana

Dates from 30 years of records at the Indianapolis SE Side weather station, 6.0 miles from Indianapolis, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Indianapolis at a glance

Weather station: Indianapolis SE Side · 6.0 mi
USDA zone: 6b
Last spring frost: typically Apr 20; 1 year in 10 after May 5
First fall frost: typically Oct 21; 1 year in 10 before Oct 7
Frost-free season: about 184 days
Hottest month: July: highs 84°F, nights 64°F
Coldest month: January: highs 34°F, nights 19°F
Rain: 45 in. a year, most in April, May and June

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Indianapolis typically comes around Apr 20, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 5. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 21. That leaves about 184 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summers are mild, with highs around 84°F in July, so cool-season crops last longer here than in hotter places: leaf lettuce is best planted Mar 23–Apr 10, Jul 24–Sep 3.

Indianapolis gets about 45 inches of rain a year, most of it in April, May and June.

158 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 16 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Indianapolis, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola, Snapdragon

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celery, Catnip, Lovage, Parsley, Statice, Stock

March37

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Collard greens, Fava bean, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip

Herbs: Chamomile

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Catnip, Feverfew, Lavender, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Ground cherry, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

April48

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Spinach, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Dill, Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Winter savory

Fruit: Grape (bunch), Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Shallot, Turnip, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Fenugreek (methi), Garlic chives, Oregano, Thyme, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis (tickseed), Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Purple coneflower (echinacea)

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May45

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Potato, Pumpkin, Purslane, Salsify, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Basil, Epazote, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Thyme

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native), Nasturtium

Can also plant

Artichoke, Asparagus, Beet, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice

June61

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Pumpkin, Rutabaga, Salsify, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Stevia, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pea (snap & snow), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Turnip, Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

July61

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Cilantro, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Okinawa spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Turnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Dill, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Cleome (spider flower), Stock

Start seeds indoors

Lettuce (romaine & head)

August38

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Mache (corn salad), Spinach, Annual salvia

September8

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Garden cress, Kale, Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach

Flowers: Pansy / viola

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Indianapolis

158 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 15–29, Aug 3–22	May 30–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 2–22	May 15–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Apr 6–20	Apr 21–May 18	Feb 2–16	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 17–Apr 18, Aug 5–Sep 13	Mar 9–16, Apr 19–May 7, Jun 21–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 18	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 16–Aug 6	May 15–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Apr 30–May 14, Jun 11–Jul 2	May 15–Jun 10	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 15–29, Jun 17–Jul 7	May 30–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 6–27	May 15–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 23–Apr 13, Aug 1–22	Apr 14–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 4–25	May 15–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Jul 31–Aug 15	Apr 6–12, Jul 16–30	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Jun 2–16	Jun 17–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 25–Aug 14	Apr 7–May 5, Jun 18–Jul 24	Feb 9–23, Jun 13–Jul 3	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 23–Apr 9, Aug 6–Sep 1	Apr 10–21, Jul 4–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 6–27	Apr 7–13, May 13–Jul 5	Feb 9–23, May 25–Jun 15	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 16–30, Jul 12–Aug 2	Mar 31–Jul 11	Feb 2–16, May 31–Jun 21	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 20–May 4	May 5–Jun 8	Feb 16–Mar 2	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 30–Apr 20, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 21–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 30–Apr 13, Jul 11–31	Apr 14–May 8, Jun 25–Jul 10	Feb 16–Mar 2, May 30–Jun 19	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 6–20, Jun 7–28	Apr 21–Jun 6	Jan 19–Feb 2, Mar 22–Apr 12	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 16–30, Jun 3–24	May 1–Jun 2	Jan 29–Feb 12, Mar 18–Apr 8	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 3–17	Apr 18–Jun 21	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 30–Apr 20, Jul 30–Aug 19	Apr 21–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 5–26	Apr 7–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 9–30	May 15–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 7–27	May 15–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 30–Apr 13, Aug 1–22	Apr 14–27, Jul 10–31	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 15–29, Jun 19–Jul 9	May 30–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 15–29, Jun 22–Jul 12	May 30–Jun 21	Mar 13–27, Apr 20–May 10	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Sep 30–Nov 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Mar 9–15	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Apr 6–19, Jul 3–24	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 6–May 3, Aug 17–Sep 17	May 4–22, Jul 7–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Sep 30–Nov 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 2–25	—	Apr 14–May 7	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 23–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 18	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Mar 9–30, Aug 18–Sep 7	Mar 31–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 9–29	Apr 7–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 14–Sep 6	Apr 20–May 10, Jun 10–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jun 26–Jul 17	Apr 7–Jun 25	Jan 19–Feb 2, Apr 24–May 15	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 23–Apr 10, Jul 24–Sep 3	Apr 11–30, Jun 13–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Jul 17–Aug 17	Mar 30–Apr 12, Jun 24–Jul 16	Jun 12–Jul 13	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	Jun 2–10	—	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Sep 2–15	Mar 23–Apr 8, Aug 14–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Jun 2–16, Jun 29–Jul 17	Jun 17–28	Apr 14–28, May 11–29	Set out plants
Moringa	Jun 2–16	Jun 17–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 17–Apr 15, Aug 16–Sep 11	Mar 9–16, Apr 16–26, Jul 10–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jun 30–Aug 12	Apr 6–16, May 29–Jun 29	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 9–29	May 15–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jun 2–16	Jun 17–Jul 26	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jun 2–16, Jul 7–23	Jun 17–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 16–Apr 5, May 30–Jul 8	Mar 9–15, Apr 6–May 29	Mar 14–Apr 22, Dec 29–Jan 18	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 30–Apr 20	Apr 21–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 9–23, Jul 30–Aug 19	Mar 24–May 9, Jun 24–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 9–23, Jul 30–Aug 19	Mar 24–May 8, Jun 21–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 6–20, Jun 14–Jul 5	May 21–Jun 13	Mar 4–18, Apr 12–May 3	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 4–18, Jun 24–Jul 15	May 19–Jun 23	Mar 2–16, Apr 22–May 13	Set out plants
Popcorn	Apr 30–May 7	May 8–Jun 19	—	Sow seeds
Potato	May 25–Jul 4	Mar 23–May 24	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Apr 30–May 14, May 20–Jun 10	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 15–29, Jul 15–Aug 5	May 30–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 23–30	Mar 31–Apr 9	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 20–Apr 30, Aug 24–Sep 25	Mar 16–19, May 1–19, Jul 4–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 23–Apr 19	Apr 20–May 18	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Jun 19–28, Jul 26–Aug 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Mar 30–Apr 20, May 18–Jun 8	Apr 21–May 17	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Mar 9–23, Jul 1–22	Mar 24–Jun 30	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Jun 2–16, Jun 19–Jul 10	—	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Mar 9–Apr 7, Aug 31–Sep 20	Apr 8–16, Jul 20–Aug 30	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 12–Aug 1	May 15–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 20–May 11	Mar 30–Apr 19	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 30–May 7, Jun 24–Jul 14	May 8–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 2–10	—	Apr 14–22	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 30–Apr 20, Aug 6–27	Apr 21–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jul 12	Mar 19–Apr 2	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 9–29	May 15–Jul 8	Mar 12–26, May 21–Jun 10	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 27–May 4, Jul 14–Aug 3	May 5–Jul 13	Mar 9–16, May 26–Jun 15	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 15–29, Jun 26–Jul 17	May 30–Jun 25	Mar 27–Apr 10, May 8–29	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Apr 30–May 14, Jun 26–Jul 17	May 15–Jun 25	Mar 12–26, May 8–29	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Apr 30–May 14, Jun 24–Jul 14	May 15–Jun 23	Mar 12–26, May 6–26	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 11–Sep 1	Apr 7–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 30–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 25	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	Jun 2–10	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 15–Jun 10	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Apr 30–May 14, May 30–Jun 20	May 15–29	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Jun 2–16, Jun 24–Jul 12	Jun 17–23	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	May 28–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 27	Apr 13–May 1	Set out plants
Basil	May 15–22, Jul 7–27	May 23–Jul 6	Apr 10–17, Jun 2–22	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	May 28–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 27	Apr 9–27	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 13–May 2, Jul 3–Aug 13	May 3–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 30–Apr 13, Jul 12–Aug 2	Apr 14–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Apr 6–27	Apr 28–May 18	Feb 16–Mar 9	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 27–Aug 17	Apr 7–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Aug 11–Sep 1	Mar 30–Apr 12, Jul 15–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Chives	May 26–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 25	Apr 7–27	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jul 21–Aug 24	Apr 6–14, Jun 26–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 12–Jul 10	May 15–Jun 11	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Jun 2–16, Jul 1–12	Jun 17–30	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Apr 6–13, Jul 28–Aug 18	Apr 14–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 21–Aug 11	May 15–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Jul 21–Aug 30	Apr 20–May 12, Jun 21–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Apr 13–29	Apr 30–Jun 8	Feb 23–Mar 11	Set out plants
Garlic chives	May 26–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 25	Apr 7–27	Set out plants
Lavender	May 22–Jun 15	Apr 27–May 21	Mar 6–30	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 6–27	Apr 28–May 18	Mar 2–23	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 22–Jun 15	Apr 27–May 21	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 2–27	—	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Apr 6–24	Apr 25–May 18	Feb 16–Mar 6	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 22–Jun 15	Apr 27–May 21	Apr 3–27	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 6–27	Apr 28–May 18	—	Set out plants
Oregano	May 25–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 24	Apr 6–27	Set out plants
Papalo	May 15–29	May 30–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 30–Apr 13, Jul 12–Aug 2	Apr 14–Jul 11	Jan 26–Feb 9, May 10–31	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 22–Jun 15	Apr 27–May 21	Mar 6–30	Set out plants
Sage	Apr 13–27, May 26–Jun 8	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 23–Mar 9, Apr 7–20	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 30–May 7	May 8–Jul 24	Mar 26–Apr 2	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 2–26	May 15–Jun 1, Jun 27–Jul 2	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 20–May 4	May 5–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Apr 20–May 3, Jun 1–15	May 4–31	—	Set out plants
Thyme	May 20–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 19	Mar 25–Apr 20	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 28–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 27	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Apr 20–May 3, Jun 1–15	May 4–31	Mar 2–15, Apr 13–27	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 16–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 18	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 11–30	Mar 31–May 27	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 15–29, Jun 12–Jul 2	May 30–Jun 11	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jul 17	Mar 26–Apr 9	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 4	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jul 22	Mar 12–26	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 23–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 18	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 18	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 15–29, Jun 9–30	May 30–Jun 8	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 4–Jul 25	Apr 30–Jun 3, Jul 26–Aug 11	Mar 26–May 16	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 23–Apr 11, Jul 15–Aug 14	Apr 12–May 3, Jun 13–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 1–Jul 13	Apr 20–May 31, Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Apr 6–27, Jul 10–Aug 29	Apr 28–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 23–Apr 11, Jul 15–Aug 14	Apr 12–May 3, Jun 13–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Jun 2–9, Jun 14–Jul 4	—	Apr 14–21, Apr 26–May 16	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 31–Jul 6	Apr 30–May 30, Jul 7–12	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 23–Apr 5, Jun 6–Jul 23	Apr 6–Jun 5	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 5–Jul 9	May 15–Jun 4, Jul 10–22	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 5–Jul 9	May 15–Jun 4, Jul 10–22	Apr 17–May 21	Set out plants
Larkspur	Mar 9–30	—	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 4–Jul 23	Apr 30–Jun 3, Jul 24–Aug 6	Apr 16–Jun 4	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 22–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 21	Apr 17–May 11	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Apr 26–May 9, Jun 30–Aug 11	Apr 20–25, May 10–Jun 29	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Mar 9–30, Aug 24–Sep 13	Mar 31–Apr 30, Jul 31–Aug 23	Jun 8–28, Dec 22–Jan 12	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 23–Jul 26	Jun 2–22, Jul 27–Aug 8	Apr 21–May 24	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	May 30–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 29	Mar 14–30	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 23–Apr 3, Jul 2–23	Jun 8–Jul 1	Jan 19–30, Apr 30–May 21	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 20–May 4, Jul 13–Aug 3	May 5–Jul 12	Feb 16–Mar 2, May 11–Jun 1	Set out plants
Stock	Apr 6–20, Aug 11–Sep 1	Apr 21–May 2, Jul 15–Aug 10	Feb 2–16, Jun 9–30	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 20–May 4, Jul 21–Aug 10	May 5–Jul 20	Mar 2–16, Jun 2–22	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 1–Jul 5	Apr 30–May 31, Jul 6–7	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 30–Apr 27, Jul 14–Aug 31	Apr 28–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 9–Apr 6	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 7–Jul 12	May 15–Jun 6, Jul 13–24	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Indianapolis

These need a climate Indianapolis doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 19°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 19°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 19°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 19°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 184 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fig: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 22°F; the coldest month here averages 19°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 184 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 19°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 19°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 19°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 184 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 184 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 19°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 184 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza: The frost-free season (about 184 days) is shorter than the 108 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 184 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Lexington, KY 150 mi · last frost around Apr 13
Chicago, IL 164 mi · last frost around Apr 10
Columbus, OH 168 mi · last frost around Apr 20
Detroit, MI 240 mi · last frost around Apr 21
Milwaukee, WI 243 mi · last frost around Apr 26
All Indiana cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Indianapolis SE Side station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).