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

Planting zone for 40076 — Waddy, KY

ZIP code 40076 (Waddy, Shelby County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 40076 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 frostMay 1
First frostOct 10
2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Waddy, 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 Waddy, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 24
Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Shelbyville 1 E, KY — 9 miles away, elevation 732 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 40076

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29
BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 40076 came on Mar 7 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

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 Waddy, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40076 is Eden — flaggy silty clay, well drained.

TextureFlaggy silty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eden flaggy silty clay, 20 to 30 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 40076; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waddy, KY

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights139nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,491base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 49 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation49.8 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 42 °F, low 20 °F 42°20° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 21 °F 47°21° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 29 °F 57°29° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 38 °F 68°38° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 49 °F 77°49° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 58 °F 85°58° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 62 °F 88°62° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 58 °F 87°58° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 50 °F 81°50° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 30 °F 57°30° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 JanFebruary: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 FebMarch: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 5.17 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 5.24 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Shelbyville 1 E, KY (9 mi away); precipitation: Shelbyville 1 E, KY (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

400466b
Mount Eden, KY · 8 mi
400666b
Shelbyville, KY · 9 mi
400656b
Shelbyville, KY · 10 mi
403426b
Lawrenceburg, KY · 10 mi
400036b
Bagdad, KY · 11 mi
406216b
Frankfort, KY · 13 mi
406226b
Frankfort, KY · 13 mi
406026b
Frankfort, KY · 14 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40076

What planting zone is ZIP code 40076?

ZIP code 40076 (Waddy, 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 Waddy, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40076 is May 1; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelbyville 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Waddy, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40076 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40076?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40076 get?

About 49.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelbyville 1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Waddy, KY?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40076 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eden at the center of ZIP 40076: flaggy silty clay, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Waddy, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40076 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waddy, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40076 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.