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

Planting zone for 46161 — Morristown, IN

ZIP code 46161 (Morristown, Shelby County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 46161 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 14
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 Morristown, 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 Morristown, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Shelbyville Municipal Airport, IN — 9 miles away, elevation 804 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 46161

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
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 14) 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 46161 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 Morristown, IN.

Soil in Morristown, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 46161 is Crosby — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; 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, New Castle 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 46161; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Morristown, IN

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights106nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,784base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation44.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall20 inper year; 20 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 22 °F 37°22° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 34 °F 53°34° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 27 °F 42°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.23 in precipitation, 7 in snowfall 3.2❄7 JanFebruary: 2.22 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 2.2❄6 FebMarch: 3.35 in precipitation, 2.5 in snowfall 3.4❄3 MarApril: 4.80 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.8 AprMay: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 5.06 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 3.54 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 3.5❄1 NovDecember: 3.16 in precipitation, 4.3 in snowfall 3.2❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Shelbyville Municipal Airport, IN (9 mi away); precipitation: Morristown 2 Se, IN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

461446a
Gwynneville, IN · 3 mi
461046a
Arlington, IN · 5 mi
461306a
Fountaintown, IN · 7 mi
461156a
Carthage, IN · 8 mi
461466a
Homer, IN · 9 mi
461506a
Manilla, IN · 10 mi
461406a
Greenfield, IN · 10 mi
461266a
Fairland, IN · 10 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 46161

What planting zone is ZIP code 46161?

ZIP code 46161 (Morristown, 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 Morristown, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 46161 is April 14; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelbyville Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Morristown, IN?

The median first fall frost near 46161 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 46161?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 46161 get?

About 44.9 inches of precipitation a year and 20 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morristown 2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Morristown, IN?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 46161 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Crosby at the center of ZIP 46161: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Morristown, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 46161 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 Morristown, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 46161 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.