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

Planting zone for 40484 — Stanford, KY

ZIP code 40484 (Stanford, Lincoln 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 40484 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 Stanford, 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 Stanford, 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 40484

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 40484 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 Stanford, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40484 is Garlin — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.8%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Garlin-Shrouts complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes, eroded, 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 40484; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stanford, 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 45 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 34 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

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 44 °F 68°44° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 FebMarch: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 MarApril: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 Dec

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.

404487a
Mc Kinney, KY · 6 mi
404407a
Junction City, KY · 10 mi
404237a
Danville, KY · 10 mi
404377a
Hustonville, KY · 10 mi
404897a
Waynesburg, KY · 11 mi
404227a
Danville, KY · 11 mi
404447a
Lancaster, KY · 11 mi
404197a
Crab Orchard, KY · 12 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40484

What planting zone is ZIP code 40484?

ZIP code 40484 (Stanford, 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 Stanford, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40484 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 Stanford, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40484 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 199 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40484?

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 40484 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Stanford, 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 40484 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Garlin at the center of ZIP 40484: loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Stanford, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40484 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 Stanford, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40484 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40484 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40484 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.