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

Planting zone for 40006 — Bedford, KY

ZIP code 40006 (Bedford, Trimble County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 40006 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 11

First frostOct 31

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 Bedford, KY…

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 Bedford, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 15

Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Madison Sewage Plt, IN — 11 miles away, elevation 459 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 40006

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 40006 came on Mar 8 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

average
Mar 172026
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).

Native plants for zone 6b in Kentucky

531 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Kentucky, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Bedford, KY.

Soil in Bedford, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40006 is Brassfield — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brassfield-Beasley complex, 20 to 40 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 40006; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bedford, KY

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights96nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,038base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation49.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Madison Sewage Plt, IN (11 mi away); precipitation: Bedford 4.7 N, KY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

New Washington, IN · 9 mi

400776b

Westport, KY · 9 mi

410086b

Carrollton, KY · 9 mi

472436b

Hanover, IN · 9 mi

400116b

Campbellsburg, KY · 10 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40006

What planting zone is ZIP code 40006?

ZIP code 40006 (Bedford, KY) 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 Bedford, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40006 is April 11; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Madison Sewage Plt station.

When is the first frost in Bedford, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40006 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40006?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40006 get?

About 49.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bedford 4.7 N station).

How hot do summers get in Bedford, KY?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40006 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brassfield at the center of ZIP 40006: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Bedford, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40006 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bedford, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40006 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40006 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40006 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.