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

Planting zone for 47527 — Dubois, IN

ZIP code 47527 (Dubois, Dubois County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 47527 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 25
First frostOct 15
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 Dubois, 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 Dubois, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Dubois S In Forage Fm, IN — 5 miles away, elevation 689 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 47527

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23
BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 47527 came on Mar 6 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

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 Dubois, IN.

Soil in Dubois, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47527 is Gilpin — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gilpin-Berks complex, 20 to 50 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 47527; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dubois, IN

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights112nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,531base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall13 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 19 °F 40°19° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 22 °F 45°22° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 59 °F 83°59° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 62 °F 86°62° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 60 °F 86°60° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 53 °F 80°53° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 3.43 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 3.4❄4 JanFebruary: 3.18 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 3.2❄4 FebMarch: 4.49 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 4.5❄1 MarApril: 5.73 in precipitation 5.7 AprMay: 6.02 in precipitation 6.0 MayJune: 5.17 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.62 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.6 OctNovember: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 NovDecember: 3.95 in precipitation, 3.8 in snowfall 4.0❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dubois S In Forage Fm, IN (5 mi away); precipitation: Dubois S In Forage Fm, IN (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

475216b
Celestine, IN · 5 mi
475806b
Schnellville, IN · 8 mi
474326b
French Lick, IN · 8 mi
475466b
Jasper, IN · 9 mi
475476b
Jasper, IN · 9 mi
475496b
Jasper, IN · 9 mi
475756b
Saint Anthony, IN · 10 mi
475136b
Birdseye, IN · 12 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47527

What planting zone is ZIP code 47527?

ZIP code 47527 (Dubois, 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 Dubois, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47527 is April 25; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dubois S In Forage Fm station.

When is the first frost in Dubois, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47527 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47527?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47527 get?

About 51.7 inches of precipitation a year and 13 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dubois S In Forage Fm station).

How hot do summers get in Dubois, IN?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47527 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gilpin at the center of ZIP 47527: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Dubois, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47527 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dubois, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47527 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47527 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47527 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.