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

Planting zone for 40964 — Mary Alice, KY

ZIP code 40964 (Mary Alice, Harlan 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 40964 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 Mary Alice, 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 Mary Alice, 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 — 5 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 40964

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 40964 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).

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 Mary Alice, KY.

Soil in Mary Alice, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40964 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-Kimper-Cloverlick 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 40964; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mary Alice, 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 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
Precipitation52.2 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: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 JanFebruary: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 FebMarch: 5.01 in precipitation 5.0 MarApril: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 5.04 in precipitation 5.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Baxter, KY (5 mi away); precipitation: Baxter, KY (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

408307a
Gulston, KY · <1 mi
408317a
Harlan, KY · 2 mi
408297a
Grays Knob, KY · 2 mi
408247a
Dayhoit, KY · 4 mi
408737a
Wallins Creek, KY · 4 mi
408547a
Loyall, KY · 5 mi
408157a
Cawood, KY · 6 mi
408187a
Coalgood, KY · 6 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40964

What planting zone is ZIP code 40964?

ZIP code 40964 (Mary Alice, 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 Mary Alice, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40964 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 Mary Alice, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40964 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40964?

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 40964 get?

About 52.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Baxter station).

How hot do summers get in Mary Alice, 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 40964 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shelocta at the center of ZIP 40964: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Mary Alice, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40964 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 Mary Alice, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40964 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40964 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40964 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.