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

Planting zone for 47869 — Prairie Creek, IN

ZIP code 47869 (Prairie Creek, Vigo County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 47869 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 8
First frostOct 27
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 Prairie Creek, 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 Prairie Creek, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 12
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Farmersburg Tv-2, IN — 6 miles away, elevation 548 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 47869

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 47869 came on Mar 10 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

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 Prairie Creek, IN.

Soil in Prairie Creek, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47869 is Princeton — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; 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: Princeton fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 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 47869; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Prairie Creek, IN

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights99nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,910base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.2 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 38 °F, low 21 °F 38°21° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 34 °F 53°34° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 45 °F 65°45° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 55 °F 75°55° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 27 °F 42°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 2.34 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 MarApril: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 AprMay: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 3.26 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Farmersburg Tv-2, IN (6 mi away); precipitation: Prairie Creek 2 S, IN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

478506b
Farmersburg, IN · 4 mi
478496b
Fairbanks, IN · 7 mi
478706b
Prairieton, IN · 7 mi
478026a
Terre Haute, IN · 7 mi
478796a
Shelburn, IN · 8 mi
624776b
West Union, IL · 8 mi
478666a
Pimento, IN · 9 mi
478086a
Terre Haute, IN · 12 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47869

What planting zone is ZIP code 47869?

ZIP code 47869 (Prairie Creek, 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 Prairie Creek, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47869 is April 8; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Farmersburg Tv-2 station.

When is the first frost in Prairie Creek, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47869 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47869?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47869 get?

About 45.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Prairie Creek 2 S station).

How hot do summers get in Prairie Creek, IN?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47869 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Princeton at the center of ZIP 47869: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Prairie Creek, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47869 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Prairie Creek, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 47869 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 47869 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47869 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.