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

Planting zone for 47338 — Eaton, IN

ZIP code 47338 (Eaton, Delaware County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 47338 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 22

First frostOct 22

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Eaton, 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 Eaton, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season181 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Hartford City 4 Ese, IN — 7 miles away, elevation 925 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 47338

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 47338 came on Mar 10 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

average
Mar 302026
Mar 10

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 Eaton, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47338 is Glynwood — clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Glynwood-Mississinewa clay loams, 6 to 12 percent slopes, severely 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 47338; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Eaton, IN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights117nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,290base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hartford City 4 Ese, IN (7 mi away); precipitation: Eaton 4.0 Sw, IN (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Hartford City, IN · 9 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47338

What planting zone is ZIP code 47338?

ZIP code 47338 (Eaton, IN) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Eaton, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47338 is April 22; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hartford City 4 Ese station.

When is the first frost in Eaton, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47338 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47338?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47338 get?

About 41.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eaton 4.0 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Eaton, IN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47338 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Glynwood at the center of ZIP 47338: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Eaton, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47338 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Eaton, IN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 47338 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 47338 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47338 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.