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

Planting zone for 40855 — Lynch, KY

ZIP code 40855 (Lynch, Harlan County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 40855 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 20

First frostOct 23

2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Lynch, 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 Lynch, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Big Stone Gap, VA — 7 miles away, elevation 1,467 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 40855

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 40855 came on Mar 8 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
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 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 Lynch, KY.

Soil in Lynch, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40855 is Cloverlick — channery slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureChannery slightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69.7%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cloverlick-Guyandotte-Highsplint complex, 20 to 80 percent slopes, very 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 40855; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lynch, KY

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,474base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 42 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

Precipitation56 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall9 inper year; 5 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: Big Stone Gap, VA (7 mi away); precipitation: Big Stone Gap, VA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

408436b

Holmes Mill, KY · 4 mi

242157a

Andover, VA · 5 mi

242167a

Appalachia, VA · 6 mi

408237a

Cumberland, KY · 6 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40855

What planting zone is ZIP code 40855?

ZIP code 40855 (Lynch, 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 Lynch, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40855 is April 20; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Stone Gap station.

When is the first frost in Lynch, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40855 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40855?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40855 get?

About 56 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Stone Gap station).

How hot do summers get in Lynch, KY?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40855 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cloverlick at the center of ZIP 40855: channery slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lynch, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40855 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lynch, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40855 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.