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

Planting zone for 47017 — Cross Plains, IN

ZIP code 47017 (Cross Plains, Ripley County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 47017 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 9
First frostNov 1
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cross Plains, 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 Cross Plains, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 20
Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Vevay, IN — 15 miles away, elevation 495 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 47017

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 47017 came on Mar 10 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).

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 Cross Plains, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47017 is Nabb — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nabb silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded.

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 47017; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cross Plains, IN

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights91nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,193base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 26 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
Snowfall16 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 30 °F 45°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.50 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 3.5❄5 JanFebruary: 3.16 in precipitation, 5.1 in snowfall 3.2❄5 FebMarch: 4.35 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 4.3❄2 MarApril: 5.01 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.0 AprMay: 5.32 in precipitation 5.3 MayJune: 4.92 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.55 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 3.5 OctNovember: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 4.38 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 4.4❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Vevay, IN (15 mi away); precipitation: Farmers Retreat, IN (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

470216b
Friendship, IN · 3 mi
472246b
Canaan, IN · 4 mi
470186b
Dillsboro, IN · 5 mi
470426a
Versailles, IN · 7 mi
470116b
Bennington, IN · 8 mi
470436b
Vevay, IN · 11 mi
470196b
East Enterprise, IN · 11 mi
470326b
Moores Hill, IN · 12 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47017

What planting zone is ZIP code 47017?

ZIP code 47017 (Cross Plains, IN) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Cross Plains, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47017 is April 9; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vevay station.

When is the first frost in Cross Plains, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47017 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47017?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47017 get?

About 48.3 inches of precipitation a year and 16 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Farmers Retreat station).

How hot do summers get in Cross Plains, IN?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47017 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nabb at the center of ZIP 47017: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Cross Plains, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47017 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cross Plains, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47017 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47017 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47017 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.