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

Planting zone for 40769 — Williamsburg, KY

ZIP code 40769 (Williamsburg, Whitley County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 40769 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 21
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 Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 9
Growing season182 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Williamsburg, KY — 3 miles away, elevation 942 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 40769

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
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 21) 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 40769 came on Mar 2 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

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 Williamsburg, KY.

Soil in Williamsburg, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40769 is Shelocta — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.75%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Shelocta-Bouldin complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes, extremely stony, very 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 40769; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Williamsburg, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights113nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,774base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation52 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall11 inper year; 8 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 25 °F 45°25° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 27 °F 49°27° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 41 °F 69°41° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 44 °F 70°44° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.20 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 4.2❄4 JanFebruary: 4.54 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 4.5❄3 FebMarch: 5.06 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 5.1❄2 MarApril: 4.96 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 4.89 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 2.53 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 5.17 in precipitation, 2.5 in snowfall 5.2❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Williamsburg, KY (3 mi away); precipitation: Williamsburg, KY (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

407307a
Emlyn, KY · 3 mi
378197a
Newcomb, TN · 9 mi
377627a
Jellico, TN · 10 mi
407597a
Rockholds, KY · 10 mi
426357a
Pine Knot, KY · 12 mi
426497a
Strunk, KY · 14 mi
407717a
Woodbine, KY · 14 mi
378927a
Winfield, TN · 14 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40769

What planting zone is ZIP code 40769?

ZIP code 40769 (Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40769 is April 21; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williamsburg station.

When is the first frost in Williamsburg, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40769 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 182 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40769?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40769 get?

About 52 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williamsburg station).

How hot do summers get in Williamsburg, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40769 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shelocta at the center of ZIP 40769: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Williamsburg, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40769 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Williamsburg, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40769 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40769 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40769 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.