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

Planting zone for 46146 — Homer, IN

ZIP code 46146 (Homer, Rush 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 46146 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 Homer, 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 Homer, 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 11
Growing season185 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Rushville, IN — 6 miles away, elevation 948 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 46146

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 46146 came on Mar 10 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26).

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

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 105

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 200

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 161

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 9

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Homer, IN.

Soil in Homer, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 46146 is Treaty — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Treaty 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 46146; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Homer, IN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights119nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,306base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall16 inper year; 26 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 19 °F 34°19° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 22 °F 39°22° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 33 °F 51°33° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 25 °F 40°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.58 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 3.6❄6 JanFebruary: 2.47 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 2.5❄3 FebMarch: 3.51 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 3.5❄3 MarApril: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 5.13 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 5.09 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 3.19 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.2 OctNovember: 3.62 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 3.6 NovDecember: 3.18 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 3.2❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rushville, IN (6 mi away); precipitation: Rushville, IN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

461506a
Manilla, IN · 3 mi
461046a
Arlington, IN · 6 mi
461446a
Gwynneville, IN · 7 mi
461566a
Milroy, IN · 7 mi
461736a
Rushville, IN · 8 mi
461616a
Morristown, IN · 9 mi
461826a
Waldron, IN · 10 mi
461156a
Carthage, IN · 11 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 46146

What planting zone is ZIP code 46146?

ZIP code 46146 (Homer, 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 Homer, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 46146 is April 19; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rushville station.

When is the first frost in Homer, IN?

The median first fall frost near 46146 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 185 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 46146?

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 46146 get?

About 45.6 inches of precipitation a year and 16 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rushville station).

How hot do summers get in Homer, IN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 46146 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Treaty at the center of ZIP 46146: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Homer, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 46146 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Homer, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 46146 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.