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

Planting zone for 47385 — Spiceland, IN

ZIP code 47385 (Spiceland, Henry County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 47385 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 27
First frostOct 17
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 Spiceland, 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 Spiceland, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station New Castle 3 Sw, IN — 5 miles away, elevation 991 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 47385

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25
BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 47385 came on Mar 10 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

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).

Native plants for zone 6a in Indiana

558 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Indiana, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 71

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 105

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 200

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 161

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 9

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Spiceland, IN.

Soil in Spiceland, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47385 is Millgrove — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Millgrove loam.

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 47385; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Spiceland, IN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights132nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,058base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation47.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall29 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 17 °F 34°17° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 19 °F 38°19° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.67 in precipitation, 10.1 in snowfall 3.7❄10 JanFebruary: 2.61 in precipitation, 7.4 in snowfall 2.6❄7 FebMarch: 3.75 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 3.8❄4 MarApril: 4.81 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.8 AprMay: 5.28 in precipitation 5.3 MayJune: 5.36 in precipitation 5.4 JunJuly: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.20 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 3.36 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.4 OctNovember: 3.64 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 3.6❄1 NovDecember: 3.14 in precipitation, 6.5 in snowfall 3.1❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: New Castle 3 Sw, IN (5 mi away); precipitation: Knightstown 2ene, IN (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

473376a
Dunreith, IN · 2 mi
473446a
Greensboro, IN · 3 mi
461486a
Knightstown, IN · 4 mi
473526a
Lewisville, IN · 5 mi
473846a
Shirley, IN · 8 mi
473876a
Straughn, IN · 8 mi
473626a
New Castle, IN · 8 mi
461176a
Charlottesville, IN · 9 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47385

What planting zone is ZIP code 47385?

ZIP code 47385 (Spiceland, 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 Spiceland, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47385 is April 27; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Castle 3 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Spiceland, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47385 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47385?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47385 get?

About 47.1 inches of precipitation a year and 29 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Knightstown 2ene station).

How hot do summers get in Spiceland, IN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47385 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Millgrove at the center of ZIP 47385: loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Spiceland, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47385 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Spiceland, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47385 is 15 h 00 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47385 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47385 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.