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When to Plant Microgreens in Parke County, IN

Microgreens are young seedlings of vegetables and herbs harvested at the cotyledon or first true leaf stage. They pack concentrated flavors and nutrients in a tiny package.

Parke County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 847 feet, Parke County receives approximately 30.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Microgreens during the growing season.

Parke County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Parke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – May 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – May 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 8

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 985 gal / 100 sq ft
Microgreens needs ~192 GDD — county provides 2,530 GDD Excellent fit

Microgreens Planting Timeline โ€” Parke County, IN

Microgreens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 21

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 2" apart ยท Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

7โ€“21 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

184 days

Growing Tips for Parke County

Sow seeds densely on shallow trays of moist growing medium. Cover until germination, then provide light. Harvest with scissors when 1-3 inches tall. Grow year-round indoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Microgreens in Parke County, IN?

Parke County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Microgreens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Parke County, IN?

Parke County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Parke County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Parke County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.