Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 46051 — Lapel, IN

ZIP code 46051 (Lapel, Madison County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 46051 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 19

First frostOct 23

2012 zone6a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lapel, IN…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Lapel, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Anderson Sewage Plt, IN — 7 miles away, elevation 840 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 46051

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 23) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 46051 came on Mar 10 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
Mar 10

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Lapel, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 46051 is Crosby — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Crosby silt loam, fine-loamy subsoil, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 46051; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lapel, IN

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights112nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,464base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 01 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 19 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation42.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall18 inper year; 27 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Anderson Sewage Plt, IN (7 mi away); precipitation: Lapel 4 S, IN (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

460606a

Noblesville, IN · 5 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 46051

What planting zone is ZIP code 46051?

ZIP code 46051 (Lapel, IN) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Lapel, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 46051 is April 19; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Anderson Sewage Plt station.

When is the first frost in Lapel, IN?

The median first fall frost near 46051 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 46051?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 46051 get?

About 42.1 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lapel 4 S station).

How hot do summers get in Lapel, IN?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 46051 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Crosby at the center of ZIP 46051: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Lapel, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 46051 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lapel, IN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 46051 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).