Planting zone for 46076 — Windfall, IN
ZIP code 46076 (Windfall, Tipton 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 46076 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Windfall, 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 Windfall, IN
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 30.
From the NOAA station Elwood, IN — 8 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 46076
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 46076 came on Mar 12 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).
Mar 312026
Mar 12
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 Windfall, IN.
Soil in Windfall, IN
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 46076 is Patton — silty clay loam, poorly drained.
Map unit: Patton silty clay loam, Tipton Till Plain, 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 46076; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Windfall, IN
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elwood, IN (8 mi away); precipitation: Elwood, IN (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.
Questions about 46076
What planting zone is ZIP code 46076?
ZIP code 46076 (Windfall, 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 Windfall, IN?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 46076 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 Windfall, IN?
The median first fall frost near 46076 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 46076?
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 46076 get?
About 42.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elwood station).
How hot do summers get in Windfall, 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 46076 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Patton at the center of ZIP 46076: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).
Did spring come early in Windfall, IN in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 46076 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Windfall, IN?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 46076 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 46076 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 46076 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.