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

Planting zone for 47532 — Ferdinand, IN

ZIP code 47532 (Ferdinand, Dubois County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 47532 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 11
First frostOct 26
2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ferdinand, 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 Ferdinand, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season197 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Saint Meinrad, IN — 5 miles away, elevation 509 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 47532

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 47532 came on Mar 3 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13).

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 Ferdinand, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47532 is Apalona — 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: Apalona-Zanesville silt loams, 6 to 12 percent slopes, 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 47532; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ferdinand, IN

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights90nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,243base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 50 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
Precipitation49.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall8 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 30 °F 47°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.53 in precipitation, 3 in snowfall 3.5❄3 JanFebruary: 3.50 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 3.5❄2 FebMarch: 4.75 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 4.8❄1 MarApril: 4.84 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 5.39 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 AugSeptember: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 4.04 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 4.0❄2 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

475776b
Saint Meinrad, IN · 6 mi
475367a
Fulda, IN · 8 mi
475756b
Saint Anthony, IN · 8 mi
475426b
Huntingburg, IN · 8 mi
475797a
Santa Claus, IN · 8 mi
475156b
Bristow, IN · 9 mi
475237a
Dale, IN · 9 mi
475136b
Birdseye, IN · 10 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47532

What planting zone is ZIP code 47532?

ZIP code 47532 (Ferdinand, 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 Ferdinand, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47532 is April 11; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saint Meinrad station.

When is the first frost in Ferdinand, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47532 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47532?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47532 get?

About 49.6 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saint Meinrad station).

How hot do summers get in Ferdinand, IN?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47532 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Apalona at the center of ZIP 47532: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Ferdinand, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47532 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ferdinand, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47532 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.