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

Planting zone for 40965 — Middlesboro, KY

ZIP code 40965 (Middlesboro, Bell County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 40965 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 23
First frostOct 19
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 Middlesboro, 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 Middlesboro, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Tazewell, TN — 14 miles away, elevation 1,365 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 40965

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 40965 came on Mar 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4).

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 Middlesboro, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40965 is Bonnie — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Bonnie silt 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 40965; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Middlesboro, KY

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights115nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,464base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 39 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 44 °F, low 23 °F 44°23° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 32 °F 57°32° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 41 °F 69°41° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 31 °F 57°31° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° 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: Tazewell, TN (14 mi away); precipitation: Fourmile Ky Util Park, KY (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

378517b
Pruden, TN · 5 mi
377247a
Cumberland Gap, TN · 5 mi
378677a
Shawanee, TN · 5 mi
377077a
Arthur, TN · 6 mi
409777a
Pineville, KY · 7 mi
408137a
Calvin, KY · 10 mi
409557a
Ingram, KY · 10 mi
409957a
Trosper, KY · 10 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40965

What planting zone is ZIP code 40965?

ZIP code 40965 (Middlesboro, 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 Middlesboro, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40965 is April 23; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tazewell station.

When is the first frost in Middlesboro, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40965 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40965?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40965 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Middlesboro, KY?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40965 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bonnie at the center of ZIP 40965: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Middlesboro, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40965 came on Mar 2 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Middlesboro, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40965 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40965 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40965 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.