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

Planting zone for 40316 — Denniston, KY

ZIP code 40316 (Denniston, Menifee County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 40316 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 29

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 Denniston, 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 Denniston, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station W Liberty 3nw, KY — 12 miles away, elevation 781 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 40316

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

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 29) 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 40316 came on Mar 6 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11).

average
Mar 112026
Mar 6

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 Denniston, KY.

Soil in Denniston, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40316 is Latham — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Latham-Shelocta silt loams, 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 40316; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Denniston, KY

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,502base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 48 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

Precipitation52.4 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: W Liberty 3nw, KY (12 mi away); precipitation: Frenchburg 2 W, KY (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

403877a

Wellington, KY · 2 mi

403227a

Frenchburg, KY · 6 mi

414256b

Ezel, KY · 7 mi

413607a

Pine Ridge, KY · 11 mi

403716b

Salt Lick, KY · 11 mi

403586b

Olympia, KY · 12 mi

413327a

Hazel Green, KY · 12 mi

413526b

Mize, KY · 13 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40316

What planting zone is ZIP code 40316?

ZIP code 40316 (Denniston, 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 Denniston, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40316 is April 29; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Liberty 3nw station.

When is the first frost in Denniston, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40316 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40316?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40316 get?

About 52.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Frenchburg 2 W station).

How hot do summers get in Denniston, KY?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40316 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Latham at the center of ZIP 40316: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Denniston, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40316 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Denniston, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40316 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40316 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40316 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.