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

Planting zone for 40903 — Artemus, KY

ZIP code 40903 (Artemus, Knox County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 40903 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 19
First frostOct 24
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 Artemus, 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 Artemus, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Barbourville, KY — 7 miles away, elevation 991 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 40903

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 40903 came on Mar 2 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

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 Artemus, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40903 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-Latham complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes, 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 40903; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Artemus, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights110nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,895base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 41 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation52.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

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 50 °F, low 28 °F 50°28° 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 51 °F 77°51° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 60 °F 84°60° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 44 °F 71°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

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 JanFebruary: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 FebMarch: 5.33 in precipitation 5.3 MarApril: 5.31 in precipitation 5.3 AprMay: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 4.99 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 2.59 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Barbourville, KY (7 mi away); precipitation: Fourmile Ky Util Park, KY (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

409957a
Trosper, KY · 4 mi
409397a
Fourmile, KY · 4 mi
409217a
Bryants Store, KY · 6 mi
409557a
Ingram, KY · 6 mi
409157a
Bimble, KY · 6 mi
409777a
Pineville, KY · 7 mi
409067a
Barbourville, KY · 7 mi
409497a
Heidrick, KY · 8 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40903

What planting zone is ZIP code 40903?

ZIP code 40903 (Artemus, 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 Artemus, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40903 is April 19; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Barbourville station.

When is the first frost in Artemus, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40903 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40903?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40903 get?

About 52.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fourmile Ky Util Park station).

How hot do summers get in Artemus, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40903 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shelocta at the center of ZIP 40903: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Artemus, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40903 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Artemus, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40903 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40903 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40903 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.