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

Planting zone for 40387 — Wellington, KY

ZIP code 40387 (Wellington, 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 40387 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 Wellington, 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 Wellington, 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 — 10 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 40387

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 40387 came on Mar 6 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

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 Wellington, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40387 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, 12 to 20 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 40387; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wellington, 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

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 22 °F 43°22° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 24 °F 47°24° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 30 °F 57°30° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 38 °F 69°38° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 58 °F 83°58° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 61 °F 86°61° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 53 °F 80°53° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 40 °F 70°40° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 30 °F 58°30° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 JanFebruary: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 FebMarch: 4.90 in precipitation 4.9 MarApril: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 AprMay: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: W Liberty 3nw, KY (10 mi away); precipitation: Frenchburg 2 W, KY (10 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.

403167a
Denniston, KY · 2 mi
414256b
Ezel, KY · 5 mi
403227a
Frenchburg, KY · 8 mi
413327a
Hazel Green, KY · 11 mi
403716b
Salt Lick, KY · 11 mi
413526b
Mize, KY · 11 mi
413607a
Pine Ridge, KY · 12 mi
414726b
West Liberty, KY · 13 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40387

What planting zone is ZIP code 40387?

ZIP code 40387 (Wellington, 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 Wellington, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40387 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 Wellington, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40387 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40387?

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 40387 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Wellington, 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 40387 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Latham at the center of ZIP 40387: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wellington, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40387 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wellington, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40387 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40387 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40387 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.