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

Planting zone for 47721 — Evansville, IN

ZIP code 47721 (Evansville, Vanderburgh County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 47721 is

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 frostMar 29
First frostNov 10
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 Evansville, 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 Evansville, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 27
Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 18 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Evansville Museum, IN — 2 miles away, elevation 374 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 47721

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 47721 came on Mar 2 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10).

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 Evansville, IN.

Soil in Evansville, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47721 is Wheeling — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wheeling loam, 0 to 2 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 47721; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Evansville, IN

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low27 °Faverage low, January
Hot days57days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,812base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 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
Precipitation47.8 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 42 °F, low 27 °F 42°27° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 31 °F 48°31° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 49 °F 70°49° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 58 °F 78°58° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 71 °F 89°71° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 51 °F 72°51° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 40 °F 58°40° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 33 °F 47°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 5.22 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Evansville Museum, IN (2 mi away); precipitation: Evansville Museum, IN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

477087a
Evansville, IN · 1 mi
477017a
Evansville, IN · 2 mi
477027a
Evansville, IN · 2 mi
477037a
Evansville, IN · 2 mi
477047a
Evansville, IN · 2 mi
477057a
Evansville, IN · 2 mi
477067a
Evansville, IN · 2 mi
477167a
Evansville, IN · 2 mi

All 31 ZIP codes in Evansville → · Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47721

What planting zone is ZIP code 47721?

ZIP code 47721 (Evansville, 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 Evansville, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47721 is March 29; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Evansville Museum station.

When is the first frost in Evansville, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47721 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 225 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47721?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47721 get?

About 47.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Evansville Museum station).

How hot do summers get in Evansville, IN?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 57 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47721 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wheeling at the center of ZIP 47721: loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Evansville, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47721 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Evansville, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47721 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47721 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47721 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.