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

Planting zone for 47040 — Rising Sun, IN

ZIP code 47040 (Rising Sun, Ohio County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 47040 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 23
First frostOct 21
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 Rising Sun, 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 Rising Sun, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Glencoe 6 Nw, KY — 11 miles away, elevation 489 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 47040

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 47040 came on Mar 8 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20).

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 Rising Sun, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47040 is Eden — flaggy silty clay, well drained.

TextureFlaggy silty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eden flaggy silty clay, 25 to 50 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 47040; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rising Sun, IN

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,433base 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
Precipitation47.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 19 °F 40°19° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 21 °F 43°21° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 29 °F 55°29° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°40° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 5.09 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 5.28 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Glencoe 6 Nw, KY (11 mi away); precipitation: Aurora 3.6 Sse, IN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

470196b
East Enterprise, IN · 6 mi
470386b
Patriot, IN · 6 mi
470206b
Florence, IN · 8 mi
470116b
Bennington, IN · 9 mi
410226b
Florence, KY · 9 mi
470016b
Aurora, IN · 9 mi
410916b
Union, KY · 9 mi
410056b
Burlington, KY · 10 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47040

What planting zone is ZIP code 47040?

ZIP code 47040 (Rising Sun, 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 Rising Sun, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47040 is April 23; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glencoe 6 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Rising Sun, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47040 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47040?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47040 get?

About 47.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aurora 3.6 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Rising Sun, IN?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47040 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eden at the center of ZIP 47040: flaggy silty clay, well drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rising Sun, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47040 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rising Sun, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47040 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47040 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47040 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.