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

Planting zone for 47431 — Freedom, IN

ZIP code 47431 (Freedom, Owen County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 47431 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 20
First frostOct 20
2012 zone6a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Freedom, 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 Freedom, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Spencer, IN — 8 miles away, elevation 548 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 47431

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 47431 came on Mar 8 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

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 Freedom, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47431 is Solsberry — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Solsberry silt loam, 6 to 12 perecent 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 47431; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Freedom, IN

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights129nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,477base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation49.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall16 inper year; 20 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 20 °F 37°20° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 31 °F 52°31° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.45 in precipitation, 6.9 in snowfall 3.5❄7 JanFebruary: 2.64 in precipitation, 4.2 in snowfall 2.6❄4 FebMarch: 3.65 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 3.6❄2 MarApril: 5.34 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.3 AprMay: 5.19 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 5.82 in precipitation 5.8 JunJuly: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 JulAugust: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 4.01 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 4.0 NovDecember: 3.46 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 3.5❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Spencer, IN (8 mi away); precipitation: Spencer, IN (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

474276a
Coal City, IN · 5 mi
474606a
Spencer, IN · 7 mi
478336a
Bowling Green, IN · 8 mi
474716b
Worthington, IN · 9 mi
478416a
Clay City, IN · 11 mi
478686a
Poland, IN · 11 mi
474596b
Solsberry, IN · 13 mi
478406a
Centerpoint, IN · 14 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47431

What planting zone is ZIP code 47431?

ZIP code 47431 (Freedom, 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 Freedom, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47431 is April 20; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Spencer station.

When is the first frost in Freedom, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47431 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47431?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47431 get?

About 49.7 inches of precipitation a year and 16 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Spencer station).

How hot do summers get in Freedom, IN?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47431 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Solsberry at the center of ZIP 47431: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Freedom, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47431 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Freedom, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47431 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.