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

Planting zone for 47966 — Newport, IN

ZIP code 47966 (Newport, Vermillion County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 47966 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 30

First frostOct 12

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Newport, 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 Newport, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Rockville, IN — 14 miles away, elevation 689 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 47966

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 47966 came on Mar 10 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

average
Mar 252026
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 6a in Indiana

558 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Indiana, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Newport, IN.

Soil in Newport, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 47966 is Ockley — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.9%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ockley silt 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 47966; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Newport, IN

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights111nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,402base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation43.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall28 inper year; 33 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: Rockville, IN (14 mi away); precipitation: Marshall, IN (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Bloomingdale, IN · 8 mi

478626a

Montezuma, IN · 9 mi

618706a

Ridge Farm, IL · 11 mi

479746a

Perrysville, IN · 11 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 47966

What planting zone is ZIP code 47966?

ZIP code 47966 (Newport, IN) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Newport, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 47966 is April 30; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rockville station.

When is the first frost in Newport, IN?

The median first fall frost near 47966 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 47966?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 47966 get?

About 43.6 inches of precipitation a year and 28 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marshall station).

How hot do summers get in Newport, IN?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 47966 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ockley at the center of ZIP 47966: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Newport, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 47966 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Newport, IN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 47966 is 15 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 47966 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 47966 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.