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

Planting zone for 47220 — Brownstown, IN

ZIP code 47220 (Brownstown, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 47220 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 16
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 Brownstown, 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 Brownstown, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Seymour 2 N, IN — 11 miles away, elevation 571 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 47220

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
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 16) 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 47220 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 Brownstown, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47220 is Bloomfield — fine sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bloomfield-Alvin complex, 1 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 47220; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brownstown, IN

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights117nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,496base 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
Precipitation49 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall17 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 53 °F 74°53° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° 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 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 26 °F 42°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.51 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 3.5❄6 JanFebruary: 2.84 in precipitation, 4.8 in snowfall 2.8❄5 FebMarch: 4.15 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 4.2❄2 MarApril: 5.40 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.4 AprMay: 5.41 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.51 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.5 OctNovember: 4.14 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.1 NovDecember: 3.69 in precipitation, 4.3 in snowfall 3.7❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Seymour 2 N, IN (11 mi away); precipitation: Medora 3 Sw, IN (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

472816b
Vallonia, IN · 7 mi
472606b
Medora, IN · 8 mi
472286b
Cortland, IN · 8 mi
472746b
Seymour, IN · 9 mi
472496b
Kurtz, IN · 10 mi
472356b
Freetown, IN · 11 mi
472296b
Crothersville, IN · 11 mi
472646b
Norman, IN · 13 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47220

What planting zone is ZIP code 47220?

ZIP code 47220 (Brownstown, 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 Brownstown, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47220 is April 16; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Seymour 2 N station.

When is the first frost in Brownstown, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47220 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47220?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47220 get?

About 49 inches of precipitation a year and 17 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Medora 3 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Brownstown, IN?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47220 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bloomfield at the center of ZIP 47220: fine sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Brownstown, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47220 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 Brownstown, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47220 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47220 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47220 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.