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

Planting zone for 40129 — Hillview, KY

ZIP code 40129 (Hillview, Bullitt County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 40129 is

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 frostApr 6

First frostNov 1

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 Hillview, 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 Hillview, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 21

Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Louisville WFO, KY — 3 miles away, elevation 633 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 40129

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 40129 came on Mar 3 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8).

average
Mar 82026
Mar 3

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 7a in Kentucky

547 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Kentucky, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Hillview, KY.

Soil in Hillview, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40129 is Lawrence — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Lawrence silt loam.

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 40129; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hillview, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights85nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,292base 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Louisville WFO, KY (3 mi away); precipitation: Fox Chase 1.4 W, KY (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

402297a

Louisville, KY · 1 mi

401097a

Brooks, KY · 4 mi

402197a

Louisville, KY · 4 mi

401187a

Fairdale, KY · 5 mi

402287a

Louisville, KY · 5 mi

401657a

Shepherdsville, KY · 6 mi

402917a

Louisville, KY · 6 mi

401667a

Shepherdsville, KY · 6 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40129

What planting zone is ZIP code 40129?

ZIP code 40129 (Hillview, 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 Hillview, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40129 is April 6; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Louisville WFO station.

When is the first frost in Hillview, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40129 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40129?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40129 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 Hillview, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40129 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lawrence at the center of ZIP 40129: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Hillview, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40129 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hillview, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40129 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40129 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40129 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.