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

Planting zone for 40941 — Garrard, KY

ZIP code 40941 (Garrard, Clay County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 40941 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 29
First frostOct 16
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Garrard, 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 Garrard, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Manchester 4 W, KY — 4 miles away, elevation 869 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 40941

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27
BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 40941 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 Garrard, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40941 is Philo — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Philo fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded.

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 40941; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Garrard, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights113nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,698base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 43 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
Precipitation49 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 46 °F, low 22 °F 46°22° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 25 °F 51°25° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 33 °F 60°33° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 39 °F 71°39° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 49 °F 78°49° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 58 °F 84°58° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 61 °F 87°61° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 54 °F 82°54° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 41 °F 71°41° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 31 °F 60°31° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 25 °F 51°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 FebMarch: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 MarApril: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 5.31 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 5.22 in precipitation 5.2 JulAugust: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 2.55 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Manchester 4 W, KY (4 mi away); precipitation: Big Creek, KY (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

409516b
Hima, KY · 2 mi
409627a
Manchester, KY · 3 mi
409447a
Goose Rock, KY · 4 mi
409326b
Fall Rock, KY · 7 mi
407247a
Bush, KY · 7 mi
409147a
Big Creek, KY · 10 mi
409727a
Oneida, KY · 12 mi
409357a
Flat Lick, KY · 12 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40941

What planting zone is ZIP code 40941?

ZIP code 40941 (Garrard, 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 Garrard, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40941 is April 29; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manchester 4 W station.

When is the first frost in Garrard, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40941 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40941?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40941 get?

About 49 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Creek station).

How hot do summers get in Garrard, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40941 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Philo at the center of ZIP 40941: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Garrard, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40941 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 Garrard, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40941 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40941 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40941 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.