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

Planting zone for 40118 — Fairdale, KY

ZIP code 40118 (Fairdale, Jefferson County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 40118 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostMar 31
First frostNov 7
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fairdale, 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 Fairdale, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 28
Growing season222 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Louisville Intl Airport, KY — 6 miles away, elevation 489 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 40118

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 40118 came on Mar 3 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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).

Soil in Fairdale, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40118 is Tilsit — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tilsit silt loam, 12 to 25 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 40118; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fairdale, KY

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights74nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,759base 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
Precipitation51.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 28 °F 44°28° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 31 °F 48°31° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 49 °F 70°49° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 59 °F 78°59° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 67 °F 86°67° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 71 °F 89°71° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 70 °F 88°70° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 50 °F 71°50° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 32 °F 47°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 4.81 in precipitation 4.8 MarApril: 5.04 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 5.54 in precipitation 5.5 MayJune: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Louisville Intl Airport, KY (6 mi away); precipitation: Fox Chase 1.4 W, KY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

401097a
Brooks, KY · 2 mi
402147a
Louisville, KY · 4 mi
402197a
Louisville, KY · 5 mi
401297a
Hillview, KY · 5 mi
402727a
Louisville, KY · 5 mi
402297a
Louisville, KY · 5 mi
402137a
Louisville, KY · 6 mi
402097a
Louisville, KY · 6 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40118

What planting zone is ZIP code 40118?

ZIP code 40118 (Fairdale, KY) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Fairdale, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40118 is March 31; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Louisville Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Fairdale, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40118 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 222 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40118?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40118 get?

About 51.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fox Chase 1.4 W station).

How hot do summers get in Fairdale, KY?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40118 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tilsit at the center of ZIP 40118: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fairdale, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40118 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fairdale, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40118 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40118 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40118 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.