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

Planting zone for 40153 — Mc Quady, KY

ZIP code 40153 (Mc Quady, Breckinridge County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 40153 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 25
First frostOct 16
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 Mc Quady, 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 Mc Quady, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Corners, KY — 10 miles away, elevation 617 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 40153

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23
BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 40153 came on Mar 2 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 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.

Trees 78

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 109

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 181

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 153

autumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fblister sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbluejoint5 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Mc Quady, KY.

Soil in Mc Quady, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40153 is Rosine — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rosine-Gilpin-Lenberg complex, very rocky, 20 to 30 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 40153; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mc Quady, KY

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,704base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.5 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 22 °F 42°22° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 23 °F 47°23° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 31 °F 56°31° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 51 °F 76°51° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 60 °F 84°60° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 63 °F 88°63° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 61 °F 87°61° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 41 °F 70°41° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 31 °F 56°31° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 26 °F 46°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 FebMarch: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 MarApril: 5.01 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 5.91 in precipitation 5.9 MayJune: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Corners, KY (10 mi away); precipitation: Corners, KY (10 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.

401447a
Harned, KY · 4 mi
401437a
Hardinsburg, KY · 5 mi
401467a
Irvington, KY · 6 mi
401767a
Webster, KY · 8 mi
401786b
Westview, KY · 8 mi
401407a
Garfield, KY · 9 mi
401157a
Custer, KY · 11 mi
401117a
Cloverport, KY · 11 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40153

What planting zone is ZIP code 40153?

ZIP code 40153 (Mc Quady, 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 Mc Quady, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40153 is April 25; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Corners station.

When is the first frost in Mc Quady, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40153 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40153?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40153 get?

About 51.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Corners station).

How hot do summers get in Mc Quady, KY?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40153 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rosine at the center of ZIP 40153: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mc Quady, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40153 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mc Quady, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40153 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40153 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40153 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.