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

Planting zone for 47577 — Saint Meinrad, IN

ZIP code 47577 (Saint Meinrad, Spencer 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 47577 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 Saint Meinrad, 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 Saint Meinrad, 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 — within 1 mile, 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 47577

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 47577 came on Mar 2 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11).

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 Saint Meinrad, IN.

Soil in Saint Meinrad, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47577 is Henshaw — 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: Henshaw 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 47577; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Saint Meinrad, 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 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
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 (within 1 mile); precipitation: Saint Meinrad, IN (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

475367a
Fulda, IN · 3 mi
475326b
Ferdinand, IN · 6 mi
475156b
Bristow, IN · 6 mi
475797a
Santa Claus, IN · 6 mi
475317a
Evanston, IN · 8 mi
475887a
Troy, IN · 8 mi
475507a
Lamar, IN · 8 mi
475867a
Tell City, IN · 10 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47577

What planting zone is ZIP code 47577?

ZIP code 47577 (Saint Meinrad, 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 Saint Meinrad, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47577 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 Saint Meinrad, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47577 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47577?

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 47577 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 Saint Meinrad, 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 47577 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Henshaw at the center of ZIP 47577: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Saint Meinrad, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47577 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Saint Meinrad, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47577 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.