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

Planting zone for 40177 — West Point, KY

ZIP code 40177 (West Point, Hardin County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 40177 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 frostApr 19
First frostOct 24
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 West Point, 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 West Point, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 9
Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Brandenburg, KY — 11 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 40177

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 40177 came on Mar 3 — 5 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).

Soil in West Point, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40177 is Caneyville — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately 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: Caneyville-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 40 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 40177; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Point, KY

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,851base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 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
Precipitation51.3 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 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 25 °F 47°25° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 33 °F 57°33° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 5.15 in precipitation 5.2 MarApril: 5.02 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 5.35 in precipitation 5.3 MayJune: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Brandenburg, KY (11 mi away); precipitation: Elizabeth 1.4 N, IN (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

401557a
Muldraugh, KY · 5 mi
401217a
Fort Knox, KY · 6 mi
402727a
Louisville, KY · 7 mi
471177a
Elizabeth, IN · 8 mi
401227a
Fort Knox, KY · 8 mi
471357a
Laconia, IN · 9 mi
401097a
Brooks, KY · 10 mi
402587a
Louisville, KY · 10 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40177

What planting zone is ZIP code 40177?

ZIP code 40177 (West Point, 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 West Point, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40177 is April 19; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brandenburg station.

When is the first frost in West Point, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40177 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40177?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40177 get?

About 51.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elizabeth 1.4 N station).

How hot do summers get in West Point, KY?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40177 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Caneyville at the center of ZIP 40177: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in West Point, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40177 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 West Point, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40177 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40177 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40177 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.