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

Planting zone for 40409 — Brodhead, KY

ZIP code 40409 (Brodhead, Rockcastle County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 40409 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 18
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 Brodhead, 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 Brodhead, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Mt Vernon, KY — 6 miles away, elevation 1,161 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 40409

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
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 18) 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 40409 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).

Soil in Brodhead, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40409 is Frederick — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Frederick silt loam, 6 to 12 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 40409; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brodhead, KY

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,839base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall11 inper year; 11 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 27 °F 47°27° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 66 °F 84°66° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 29 °F 46°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.22 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 4.2❄3 JanFebruary: 4.02 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 4.0❄4 FebMarch: 4.86 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 4.9❄2 MarApril: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 3.50 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.5 NovDecember: 4.94 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 4.9❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mt Vernon, KY (6 mi away); precipitation: Mt Vernon, KY (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

404197a
Crab Orchard, KY · 6 mi
404737a
Renfro Valley, KY · 6 mi
404567a
Mount Vernon, KY · 6 mi
404927a
Wildie, KY · 8 mi
404607a
Orlando, KY · 10 mi
425677a
Eubank, KY · 12 mi
404897a
Waynesburg, KY · 12 mi
404457a
Livingston, KY · 13 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40409

What planting zone is ZIP code 40409?

ZIP code 40409 (Brodhead, 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 Brodhead, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40409 is April 18; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mt Vernon station.

When is the first frost in Brodhead, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40409 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40409?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40409 get?

About 51.4 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mt Vernon station).

How hot do summers get in Brodhead, KY?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40409 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Frederick at the center of ZIP 40409: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Brodhead, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40409 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 Brodhead, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40409 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40409 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40409 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.