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

Planting zone for 40729 — East Bernstadt, KY

ZIP code 40729 (East Bernstadt, Laurel 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 25.

Where ZIP 40729 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 25
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 East Bernstadt, 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 East Bernstadt, 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 plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station London Corbin Airport, KY — 12 miles away, elevation 1,188 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 40729

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 30 – Sep 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 40729 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).

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.

Trees 78

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 109

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 181

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 153

autumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fblister sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbluejoint5 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 East Bernstadt, KY.

Soil in East Bernstadt, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40729 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-Highsplint-Rigley complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, stony, 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 40729; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Bernstadt, KY

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low27 °Faverage low, January
Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights89nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,064base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 36 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation52.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall6 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.09 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 4.1❄4 JanFebruary: 3.86 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 3.9 FebMarch: 4.93 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 4.9❄1 MarApril: 4.92 in precipitation 4.9 AprMay: 5.43 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 5.14 in precipitation 5.1 JulAugust: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.17 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.2 OctNovember: 3.87 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.9 NovDecember: 4.45 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 4.5❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: London Corbin Airport, KY (12 mi away); precipitation: London State Police, KY (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

407557a
Pittsburg, KY · 6 mi
404457a
Livingston, KY · 6 mi
407427a
London, KY · 8 mi
407457a
London, KY · 8 mi
407417a
London, KY · 8 mi
407507a
London, KY · 9 mi
407437a
London, KY · 10 mi
404026b
Annville, KY · 10 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40729

What planting zone is ZIP code 40729?

ZIP code 40729 (East Bernstadt, 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 East Bernstadt, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40729 is April 15; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, London Corbin Airport station.

When is the first frost in East Bernstadt, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40729 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40729?

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 40729 get?

About 52.5 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, London State Police station).

How hot do summers get in East Bernstadt, KY?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40729 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shelocta at the center of ZIP 40729: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in East Bernstadt, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40729 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 East Bernstadt, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40729 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40729 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40729 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.