When to plant peanut in Indianapolis, Indiana
April 20 – May 4
Direct-sow outdoors · typical Indianapolis yearClimate basis: NOAA station Indianapolis Se Side, IN (USC00124272), 6 mi (10 km) from downtown Indianapolis (ZCTA 46204 centroid), elevation 845 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow peanut from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 20). One year in ten still freezes after May 5.
The Indianapolis year
- indoors under lights
- in the garden
- frost-free season
- 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 5
Every method, with its sources
Direct-sow outdoors
Apr 20 – May 4Utah State Extension ties the peanut sowing trigger directly to the frost anchor — sow when soil temperatures are above 65°F, which it says is usually around the last frost — so the point rule opens the window at the last-frost date and runs 14 days. No source in this set offered an earlier-starting alternative to reconcile against. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 20). Utah State University Extension
Start seeds indoors
Not calculatedThe cited extension guides do not time an indoor seed-starting window for this crop.
Transplant outdoors
Not calculatedThe cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.
Fall planting
Not calculatedNo source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.
Variety assumption: Assumes a shorter-season Spanish or Valencia type sown in place; Arkansas Extension notes peanuts need a minimum of 120 frost-free days, so the crop is only viable where the anchor-to-anchor season exceeds that.
These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.
Crop rule sources (1)
- Utah State University Extension: Peanuts in the Garden (accessed 2026-07-25)"Sow seeds 1½ inches deep, 18 inches apart, with 4 seeds per mound when soil temperatures are above 65° F (usually around the last frost)."