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

Planting zone for 47470 — Williams, IN

ZIP code 47470 (Williams, Lawrence County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 47470 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 10
First frostOct 30
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 Williams, 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 Williams, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Bedford 5 Wnw, IN — 6 miles away, elevation 761 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 47470

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 47470 came on Mar 8 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

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 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

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 202

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 162

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °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 °F

Vines 11

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 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °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 Williams, IN.

Soil in Williams, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47470 is Princeton — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Princeton-Alvin complex, 2 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 47470; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Williams, IN

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights96nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,685base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation50.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall13 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 45 °F 65°45° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 54 °F 73°54° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 63 °F 81°63° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 66 °F 84°66° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 57 °F 77°57° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 46 °F 66°46° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 36 °F 53°36° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 28 °F 43°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.59 in precipitation, 4.2 in snowfall 3.6❄4 JanFebruary: 3.09 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 3.1❄4 FebMarch: 4.44 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 4.4❄1 MarApril: 5.33 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.3 AprMay: 5.93 in precipitation 5.9 MayJune: 4.99 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.50 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.5 OctNovember: 4.09 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 4.1 NovDecember: 4.17 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 4.2❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bedford 5 Wnw, IN (6 mi away); precipitation: Williams 3 Sw, IN (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

474376b
Huron, IN · 7 mi
474516b
Oolitic, IN · 8 mi
474206b
Avoca, IN · 9 mi
474466b
Mitchell, IN · 9 mi
475226b
Crane, IN · 10 mi
474626b
Springville, IN · 10 mi
474216b
Bedford, IN · 11 mi
474536b
Owensburg, IN · 11 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47470

What planting zone is ZIP code 47470?

ZIP code 47470 (Williams, 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 Williams, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47470 is April 10; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bedford 5 Wnw station.

When is the first frost in Williams, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47470 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47470?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47470 get?

About 50.5 inches of precipitation a year and 13 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williams 3 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Williams, IN?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47470 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Princeton at the center of ZIP 47470: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Williams, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47470 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Williams, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47470 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47470 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47470 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.