Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 46968 — Ora, IN

ZIP code 46968 (Ora, Starke County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 46968 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostApr 25

First frostOct 18

2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ora, 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 Ora, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Winamac 2sse, IN — 10 miles away, elevation 689 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 46968

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23

BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) 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 46968 came on Mar 16 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
Mar 16

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 5b in Indiana

533 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Indiana, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Ora, IN.

Soil in Ora, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 46968 is Oakville — fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Oakville-Denham fine sands, 1 to 5 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 46968; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ora, IN

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,113base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation39.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall27 inper year; 41 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Winamac 2sse, IN (10 mi away); precipitation: Winamac 2sse, IN (10 mi away). 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.

Leiters Ford, IN · 9 mi

463665b

North Judson, IN · 12 mi

465315b

Grovertown, IN · 13 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 46968

What planting zone is ZIP code 46968?

ZIP code 46968 (Ora, IN) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Ora, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 46968 is April 25; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winamac 2sse station.

When is the first frost in Ora, IN?

The median first fall frost near 46968 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 46968?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 46968 get?

About 39.8 inches of precipitation a year and 27 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winamac 2sse station).

How hot do summers get in Ora, IN?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 46968 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Oakville at the center of ZIP 46968: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Ora, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 46968 came on Mar 16 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ora, IN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 46968 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).