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

Planting zone for 47666 — Patoka, IN

ZIP code 47666 (Patoka, Gibson County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 47666 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 13
First frostOct 25
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 Patoka, 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 Patoka, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 10
Growing season194 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Princeton 1 W, IN — 4 miles away, elevation 479 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 47666

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 13) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 47666 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 Patoka, IN.

Soil in Patoka, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47666 is Ayrshire — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Ayrshire fine sandy 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 47666; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Patoka, IN

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights100nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,980base 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
Precipitation48.2 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 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 33 °F 55°33° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 26 °F 44°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 5.18 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 5.22 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 5.32 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Princeton 1 W, IN (4 mi away); precipitation: Princeton 1.0 Nw, IN (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

475246b
Decker, IN · 5 mi
476706b
Princeton, IN · 5 mi
476406b
Hazleton, IN · 8 mi
476496b
Francisco, IN · 9 mi
624106b
Allendale, IL · 11 mi
476656b
Owensville, IN · 12 mi
476487a
Fort Branch, IN · 12 mi
628636b
Mount Carmel, IL · 14 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47666

What planting zone is ZIP code 47666?

ZIP code 47666 (Patoka, 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 Patoka, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47666 is April 13; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Princeton 1 W station.

When is the first frost in Patoka, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47666 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 194 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47666?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 16 – Mar 2 and set transplants outside around Apr 20 – May 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47666 get?

About 48.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Princeton 1.0 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Patoka, IN?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47666 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ayrshire at the center of ZIP 47666: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Patoka, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47666 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 Patoka, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47666 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.