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

Planting zone for 47579 — Santa Claus, IN

ZIP code 47579 (Santa Claus, Spencer County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 47579 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 11
First frostOct 26
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 Santa Claus, 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 Santa Claus, 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 — 7 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 47579

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 47579 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 7a in Indiana

575 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Indiana, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 73

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 106

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 206

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 165

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 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °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 Santa Claus, IN.

Soil in Santa Claus, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47579 is Wellston — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wellston silt loam, 12 to 18 percent slopes, severely 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 47579; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Santa Claus, 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 31 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

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

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: Saint Meinrad, IN (7 mi away); precipitation: Santa Claus 1.4 Sw, IN (2 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.

475507a
Lamar, IN · 3 mi
475367a
Fulda, IN · 4 mi
475527a
Lincoln City, IN · 4 mi
475317a
Evanston, IN · 6 mi
475776b
Saint Meinrad, IN · 6 mi
475237a
Dale, IN · 8 mi
475326b
Ferdinand, IN · 8 mi
475377a
Gentryville, IN · 8 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47579

What planting zone is ZIP code 47579?

ZIP code 47579 (Santa Claus, 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 Santa Claus, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47579 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 Santa Claus, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47579 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47579?

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 47579 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 Santa Claus, 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 47579 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wellston at the center of ZIP 47579: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Santa Claus, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47579 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 Santa Claus, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47579 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47579 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47579 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.