Planting zone for 46345 — Kingsbury, IN
ZIP code 46345 (Kingsbury, LaPorte 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 27.
Where ZIP 46345 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 Kingsbury, 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 Kingsbury, IN
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 7.
From the NOAA station Laporte, IN — 6 miles away, elevation 810 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 46345
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 46345 came on Mar 21 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5).
Apr 52026
Mar 21
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 Kingsbury, IN.
Soil in Kingsbury, IN
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 46345 is Elston — loam, well drained.
Map unit: Elston loam, 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 46345; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Kingsbury, IN
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Laporte, IN (6 mi away); precipitation: Kingsbury 1n, IN (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 46345
What planting zone is ZIP code 46345?
ZIP code 46345 (Kingsbury, 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 Kingsbury, IN?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 46345 is April 19; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laporte station.
When is the first frost in Kingsbury, IN?
The median first fall frost near 46345 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 46345?
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 46345 get?
About 38.9 inches of precipitation a year and 42 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kingsbury 1n station).
How hot do summers get in Kingsbury, IN?
The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 46345 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Elston at the center of ZIP 46345: loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).
Did spring come early in Kingsbury, IN in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 46345 came on Mar 21 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Kingsbury, IN?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 46345 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 46345 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 46345 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.