Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 47865 — Paxton, IN

ZIP code 47865 (Paxton, 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 47865 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 Paxton, 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 Paxton, 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 — 11 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 47865

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 47865 came on Mar 8 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
Mar 8

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).

Soil in Paxton, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47865 is Cincinnati — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cincinnati silt loam, Wabash Lowland, 6 to 12 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 47865; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Paxton, 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 55 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 25 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

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Freelandville, IN (11 mi away); precipitation: Freelandville, IN (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Graysville, IN · 5 mi

Freelandville, IN · 12 mi

474416b

Linton, IN · 12 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47865

What planting zone is ZIP code 47865?

ZIP code 47865 (Paxton, 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 Paxton, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47865 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 Paxton, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47865 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 202 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47865?

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 47865 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 Paxton, 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 47865 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cincinnati at the center of ZIP 47865: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Paxton, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47865 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 Paxton, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47865 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47865 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47865 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.