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

Planting zone for 40444 — Lancaster, KY

ZIP code 40444 (Lancaster, Garrard County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 40444 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 9

First frostOct 27

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 Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season199 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Danville, KY — 11 miles away, elevation 899 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 40444

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 40444 came on Mar 2 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
Mar 2

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 Lancaster, KY.

Soil in Lancaster, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40444 is Faywood — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Faywood-Cynthiana complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes, eroded, very rocky.

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 40444; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lancaster, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,876base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 46 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation47.9 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: Danville, KY (11 mi away); precipitation: Danville, KY (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

404107a

Bryantsville, KY · 5 mi

404237a

Danville, KY · 11 mi

404617a

Paint Lick, KY · 11 mi

Nicholasville, KY · 14 mi

403907a

Wilmore, KY · 14 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40444

What planting zone is ZIP code 40444?

ZIP code 40444 (Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40444 is April 9; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Danville station.

When is the first frost in Lancaster, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40444 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 199 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40444?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40444 get?

About 47.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Danville station).

How hot do summers get in Lancaster, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40444 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Faywood at the center of ZIP 40444: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Lancaster, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40444 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lancaster, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40444 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40444 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40444 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.