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

Planting zone for 40488 — Waneta, KY

ZIP code 40488 (Waneta, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 40488 is

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 5

First frostNov 2

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 Waneta, 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 Waneta, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season213 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Berea College, KY — 15 miles away, elevation 1,070 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 40488

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 40488 came on Mar 5 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
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 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 Waneta, KY.

Soil in Waneta, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40488 is Grigsby — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.1%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classPrime farmland if protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Grigsby fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 40488; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waneta, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights84nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,429base 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

Precipitation49.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall18 inper year; 16 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: Berea College, KY (15 mi away); precipitation: Heidelberg, KY (16 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.

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40488

What planting zone is ZIP code 40488?

ZIP code 40488 (Waneta, 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 Waneta, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40488 is April 5; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Berea College station.

When is the first frost in Waneta, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40488 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 213 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40488?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40488 get?

About 49.7 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Heidelberg station).

How hot do summers get in Waneta, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40488 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Grigsby at the center of ZIP 40488: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Waneta, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40488 came on Mar 5 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waneta, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40488 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40488 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40488 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.