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

Planting zone for 47523 — Dale, IN

ZIP code 47523 (Dale, Spencer County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 47523 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 6
First frostOct 30
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Dale, 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 Dale, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Stendal, IN — 10 miles away, elevation 637 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 47523

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
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 6) 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 47523 came on Mar 2 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

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 Dale, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47523 is Bartle — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Bartle silt 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 47523; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dale, IN

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights91nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,944base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 49 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 30 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.9 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 39 °F, low 24 °F 39°24° JanFebruary: average high 44 °F, low 27 °F 44°27° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 46 °F 66°46° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 56 °F 74°56° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 67 °F 85°67° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 47 °F 68°47° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 37 °F 54°37° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 5.35 in precipitation 5.3 AprMay: 5.72 in precipitation 5.7 MayJune: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.90 in precipitation 4.9 JulAugust: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Stendal, IN (10 mi away); precipitation: Santa Claus 1.4 Sw, IN (7 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.

475417a
Holland, IN · 4 mi
475377a
Gentryville, IN · 5 mi
475527a
Lincoln City, IN · 5 mi
475797a
Santa Claus, IN · 8 mi
476377a
Tennyson, IN · 8 mi
475426b
Huntingburg, IN · 9 mi
475326b
Ferdinand, IN · 9 mi
475857a
Stendal, IN · 10 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47523

What planting zone is ZIP code 47523?

ZIP code 47523 (Dale, IN) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Dale, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47523 is April 6; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stendal station.

When is the first frost in Dale, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47523 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47523?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47523 get?

About 51.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Santa Claus 1.4 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Dale, IN?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47523 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bartle at the center of ZIP 47523: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Dale, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47523 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dale, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47523 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47523 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47523 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.