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

Planting zone for 40447 — Mc Kee, KY

ZIP code 40447 (Mc Kee, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 40447 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 24

First frostOct 19

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mc Kee, 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 Mc Kee, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Booneville 12sw, KY — 16 miles away, elevation 879 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 40447

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 40447 came on Mar 2 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
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 6b in Kentucky

531 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Kentucky, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Mc Kee, KY.

Soil in Mc Kee, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40447 is Shelocta — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Shelocta-Gilpin complex, 20 to 65 percent slopes, stony.

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 40447; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mc Kee, KY

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,649base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 45 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

Precipitation51.3 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: Booneville 12sw, KY (16 mi away); precipitation: Booneville 12sw, KY (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Livingston, KY · 12 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40447

What planting zone is ZIP code 40447?

ZIP code 40447 (Mc Kee, 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 Mc Kee, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40447 is April 24; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Booneville 12sw station.

When is the first frost in Mc Kee, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40447 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40447?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40447 get?

About 51.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Booneville 12sw station).

How hot do summers get in Mc Kee, KY?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40447 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shelocta at the center of ZIP 40447: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Mc Kee, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40447 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mc Kee, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40447 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40447 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40447 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.