Planting zone for 47283 — Westport, IN
ZIP code 47283 (Westport, Decatur County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 21.
Where ZIP 47283 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 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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Westport, 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 Westport, IN
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around October 31.
From the NOAA station N Vernon 2 Ese, IN — 12 miles away, elevation 745 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 47283
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) 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 47283 came on Mar 10 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).
Mar 222026
Mar 10
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 6b in Indiana
564 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Indiana, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.
Trees 72
Shrubs 105
Wildflowers & perennials 202
Grasses 162
Vines 11
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 Westport, IN.
Soil in Westport, IN
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47283 is Hickory — loam, well drained.
Map unit: Hickory loam, 18 to 25 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 47283; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Westport, IN
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: N Vernon 2 Ese, IN (12 mi away); precipitation: N Vernon 2 Ese, IN (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.
Questions about 47283
What planting zone is ZIP code 47283?
ZIP code 47283 (Westport, 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 Westport, IN?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47283 is April 21; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Vernon 2 Ese station.
When is the first frost in Westport, IN?
The median first fall frost near 47283 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 47283?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 47283 get?
About 49.3 inches of precipitation a year and 17 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Vernon 2 Ese station).
How hot do summers get in Westport, IN?
The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 47283 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Hickory at the center of ZIP 47283: loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).
Did spring come early in Westport, IN in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 47283 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 Westport, IN?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47283 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 47283 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47283 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.