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

Planting zone for 40983 — Sextons Creek, KY

ZIP code 40983 (Sextons Creek, Clay County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 40983 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 24
First frostOct 19
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 Sextons Creek, 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 Sextons Creek, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Booneville 12sw, KY — 2 miles away, elevation 879 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 40983

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22
BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
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 24) 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 40983 came on Mar 2 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10).

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 Sextons Creek, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 40983 is Steinsburg — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Steinsburg and Gilpin soils and rock outcrop, steep.

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 40983; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sextons Creek, KY

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,649base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.3 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 49 °F, low 26 °F 49°26° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 31 °F 58°31° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 50 °F 77°50° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 59 °F 83°59° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 42 °F 70°42° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 32 °F 58°32° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 27 °F 48°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 JanFebruary: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 5.24 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 4.81 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 5.28 in precipitation 5.3 JulAugust: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Booneville 12sw, KY (2 mi away); precipitation: Booneville 12sw, KY (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

413646b
Ricetown, KY · 4 mi
404866b
Tyner, KY · 7 mi
413517a
Mistletoe, KY · 8 mi
413146b
Booneville, KY · 8 mi
409326b
Fall Rock, KY · 9 mi
413866b
Vincent, KY · 10 mi
409727a
Oneida, KY · 11 mi
404346b
Gray Hawk, KY · 12 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 40983

What planting zone is ZIP code 40983?

ZIP code 40983 (Sextons Creek, 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 Sextons Creek, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 40983 is April 24; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Booneville 12sw station.

When is the first frost in Sextons Creek, KY?

The median first fall frost near 40983 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 40983?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 40983 get?

About 51.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Booneville 12sw station).

How hot do summers get in Sextons Creek, KY?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 40983 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Steinsburg at the center of ZIP 40983: loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sextons Creek, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 40983 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sextons Creek, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 40983 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 40983 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 40983 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.