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

Planting zone for 46070 — Summitville, IN

ZIP code 46070 (Summitville, Madison County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 46070 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 24
First frostOct 18
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Summitville, 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 Summitville, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Elwood, IN — 11 miles away, elevation 866 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 46070

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22
BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 46070 came on Mar 10 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

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).

Native plants for zone 6a in Indiana

558 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Indiana, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 71

Shrubs 105

Wildflowers & perennials 200

Grasses 161

Vines 9

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Summitville, IN.

Soil in Summitville, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 46070 is Pewamo — silty clay loam, very poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Pewamo silty clay loam, 0 to 1 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 46070; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Summitville, IN

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights128nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,198base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation42.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 18 °F 34°18° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 20 °F 38°20° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 51 °F 72°51° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 32 °F 50°32° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 2.26 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 MarApril: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 5.30 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elwood, IN (11 mi away); precipitation: Elwood, IN (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 46070

What planting zone is ZIP code 46070?

ZIP code 46070 (Summitville, 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 Summitville, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 46070 is April 24; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elwood station.

When is the first frost in Summitville, IN?

The median first fall frost near 46070 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 46070?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 46070 get?

About 42.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elwood station).

How hot do summers get in Summitville, IN?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 46070 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pewamo at the center of ZIP 46070: silty clay loam, very poorly drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Summitville, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 46070 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Summitville, IN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 46070 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 46070 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 46070 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.