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

Planting zone for 47501 — Washington, IN

ZIP code 47501 (Washington, Daviess 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 25.

Where ZIP 47501 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 25
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 Washington, 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 Washington, 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 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season197 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Washington 1 W, IN — 2 miles away, elevation 482 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 47501

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 · Aug 30 – Sep 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 47501 came on Mar 7 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

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 Washington, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47501 is Wakeland — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drained and either protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Wakeland silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 47501; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Washington, IN

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights90nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,206base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation47.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 24 °F 40°24° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 47 °F 70°47° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 5.48 in precipitation 5.5 MayJune: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Washington 1 W, IN (2 mi away); precipitation: Washington 1.5 Nw, IN (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

475976b
Wheatland, IN · 7 mi
475586b
Montgomery, IN · 7 mi
475686b
Plainville, IN · 8 mi
475576b
Monroe City, IN · 11 mi
475126b
Bicknell, IN · 11 mi
475196b
Cannelburg, IN · 11 mi
475646b
Otwell, IN · 13 mi
475286b
Edwardsport, IN · 14 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47501

What planting zone is ZIP code 47501?

ZIP code 47501 (Washington, 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 Washington, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47501 is April 10; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Washington 1 W station.

When is the first frost in Washington, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47501 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47501?

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 47501 get?

About 47.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Washington 1.5 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Washington, IN?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47501 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wakeland at the center of ZIP 47501: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Washington, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47501 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Washington, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47501 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47501 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47501 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.