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

Planting zone for 46166 — Paragon, IN

ZIP code 46166 (Paragon, Morgan 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 15.

Where ZIP 46166 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 15
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 Paragon, 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 Paragon, 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 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 2
Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Martinsville 2 Sw, IN — 7 miles away, elevation 591 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 46166

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 20 – Sep 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 46166 came on Mar 10 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

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 Paragon, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 46166 is Alford — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.06%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alford silt loam, 2 to 6 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 46166; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Paragon, IN

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights127nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,244base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation48.3 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 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 21 °F 41°21° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° 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 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 24 °F 41°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 5.03 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Martinsville 2 Sw, IN (7 mi away); precipitation: Gosport 4.2 E, IN (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

474336a
Gosport, IN · 6 mi
474566a
Quincy, IN · 6 mi
461256a
Eminence, IN · 7 mi
474646a
Stinesville, IN · 9 mi
461576a
Monrovia, IN · 9 mi
461516a
Martinsville, IN · 9 mi
474296a
Ellettsville, IN · 11 mi
461806a
Stilesville, IN · 12 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 46166

What planting zone is ZIP code 46166?

ZIP code 46166 (Paragon, 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 Paragon, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 46166 is April 24; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Martinsville 2 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Paragon, IN?

The median first fall frost near 46166 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 46166?

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 46166 get?

About 48.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gosport 4.2 E station).

How hot do summers get in Paragon, IN?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 46166 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alford at the center of ZIP 46166: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Paragon, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 46166 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Paragon, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 46166 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.