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

Planting zone for 40475 — Richmond, KY

ZIP code 40475 (Richmond, Madison County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 40475 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 15

First frostOct 22

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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Eastern Kentucky Univ, KY — 2 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 40475

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 40475 came on Mar 5 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10).

average
Mar 102026
Mar 5

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 Richmond, KY.

Soil in Richmond, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40475 is Lowell — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Lowell-Faywood silt loams, 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 40475; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Richmond, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights102nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,935base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 47 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

Precipitation48.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Eastern Kentucky Univ, KY (2 mi away); precipitation: Richmond State Police, KY (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Lexington, KY · 12 mi

Paint Lick, KY · 14 mi

404056b

Bighill, KY · 15 mi

403567a

Nicholasville, KY · 16 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Richmond → · Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40475

What planting zone is ZIP code 40475?

ZIP code 40475 (Richmond, 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 Richmond, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40475 is April 15; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eastern Kentucky Univ station.

When is the first frost in Richmond, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40475 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40475?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40475 get?

About 48.1 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richmond State Police station).

How hot do summers get in Richmond, 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 40475 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lowell at the center of ZIP 40475: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Richmond, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40475 came on Mar 5 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Richmond, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40475 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40475 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40475 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.