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

Planting zone for 47838 — Carlisle, IN

ZIP code 47838 (Carlisle, Sullivan County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 47838 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 9
First frostOct 30
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Carlisle, 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 Carlisle, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season202 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Freelandville, IN — 7 miles away, elevation 551 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 47838

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 47838 came on Mar 8 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

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 Carlisle, IN.

Soil in Carlisle, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47838 is Iona — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Iona silt loam, 2 to 6 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 47838; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Carlisle, IN

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights102nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,849base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall15 inper year; 14 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 22 °F 37°22° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 34 °F 53°34° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 55 °F 74°55° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 67 °F 86°67° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 46 °F 67°46° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 27 °F 42°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.22 in precipitation, 4.6 in snowfall 3.2❄5 JanFebruary: 2.46 in precipitation, 3.6 in snowfall 2.5❄4 FebMarch: 3.36 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 3.4❄1 MarApril: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 AprMay: 5.45 in precipitation 5.5 MayJune: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.64 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.6 OctNovember: 3.93 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.9 NovDecember: 3.14 in precipitation, 5.1 in snowfall 3.1❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Freelandville, IN (7 mi away); precipitation: Freelandville, IN (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

478656b
Paxton, IN · 4 mi
475616b
Oaktown, IN · 7 mi
475356b
Freelandville, IN · 8 mi
478486b
Dugger, IN · 9 mi
478526b
Graysville, IN · 9 mi
478826b
Sullivan, IN · 9 mi
475286b
Edwardsport, IN · 10 mi
475966b
Westphalia, IN · 11 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47838

What planting zone is ZIP code 47838?

ZIP code 47838 (Carlisle, 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 Carlisle, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47838 is April 9; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Freelandville station.

When is the first frost in Carlisle, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47838 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 202 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47838?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47838 get?

About 45.4 inches of precipitation a year and 15 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Freelandville station).

How hot do summers get in Carlisle, IN?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47838 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Iona at the center of ZIP 47838: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Carlisle, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47838 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Carlisle, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47838 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47838 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47838 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.