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

Planting zone for 40844 — Hoskinston, KY

ZIP code 40844 (Hoskinston, Leslie 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 30.

Where ZIP 40844 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 30
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 Hoskinston, 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 Hoskinston, 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 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season197 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Baxter, KY — 14 miles away, elevation 1,165 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 40844

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 · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 40844 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).

Soil in Hoskinston, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40844 is Fairpoint — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.1neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fairpoint and Bethesda soils, 2 to 70 percent slopes, benched, stony.

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 40844; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hoskinston, KY

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,806base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation50.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 52 °F 76°52° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 FebMarch: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 MarApril: 4.99 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 2.73 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Baxter, KY (14 mi away); precipitation: Pine Mtn 3 Nw, KY (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

417757a
Wendover, KY · 3 mi
408167a
Chappell, KY · 3 mi
408087a
Big Laurel, KY · 4 mi
408037a
Asher, KY · 5 mi
408587a
Mozelle, KY · 5 mi
408687a
Stinnett, KY · 5 mi
417777a
Yeaddiss, KY · 6 mi
417647a
Smilax, KY · 6 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40844

What planting zone is ZIP code 40844?

ZIP code 40844 (Hoskinston, 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 Hoskinston, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40844 is April 15; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Baxter station.

When is the first frost in Hoskinston, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40844 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40844?

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 40844 get?

About 50.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pine Mtn 3 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Hoskinston, KY?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40844 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fairpoint at the center of ZIP 40844: channery loam, well drained, pH about 7.1 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hoskinston, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40844 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 Hoskinston, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40844 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40844 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40844 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.