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

Planting zone for 40359 — Owenton, KY

ZIP code 40359 (Owenton, Owen County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 40359 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 11
First frostOct 29
2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Owenton, 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 Owenton, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season199 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Williamstown, KY — 18 miles away, elevation 968 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 40359

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 40359 came on Mar 7 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15).

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 Owenton, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40359 is Eden — flaggy silty clay, well drained.

TextureFlaggy silty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eden flaggy silty clay, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded.

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 40359; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Owenton, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights91nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,117base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation50.7 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 25 °F 42°25° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 47 °F 70°47° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 37 °F 56°37° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 29 °F 46°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 MarApril: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 AprMay: 5.64 in precipitation 5.6 MayJune: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Williamstown, KY (18 mi away); precipitation: Frankfort 8.0 Nne, KY (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

400366b
Lockport, KY · 9 mi
403556b
New Liberty, KY · 9 mi
400076b
Bethlehem, KY · 10 mi
403636b
Perry Park, KY · 11 mi
410106b
Corinth, KY · 11 mi
410986b
Worthville, KY · 13 mi
410526b
Jonesville, KY · 13 mi
403796b
Stamping Ground, KY · 13 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40359

What planting zone is ZIP code 40359?

ZIP code 40359 (Owenton, KY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Owenton, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40359 is April 11; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williamstown station.

When is the first frost in Owenton, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40359 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 199 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40359?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40359 get?

About 50.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Frankfort 8.0 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Owenton, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40359 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eden at the center of ZIP 40359: flaggy silty clay, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Owenton, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40359 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Owenton, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40359 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.