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

Planting zone for 41002 — Augusta, KY

ZIP code 41002 (Augusta, Bracken County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 41002 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 11
First frostOct 30
2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Augusta, 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 Augusta, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season200 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Augusta 2, KY — 3 miles away, elevation 509 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 41002

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
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 11) 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 41002 came on Mar 8 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

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 6b in Kentucky

531 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Kentucky, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 76

Shrubs 107

Wildflowers & perennials 177

Grasses 147

Vines 12

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 Augusta, KY.

Soil in Augusta, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 41002 is Lowell — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lowell silt loam, shale substratum, 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded.

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 41002; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Augusta, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights89nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,775base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation47.5 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 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 FebMarch: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 5.16 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Augusta 2, KY (3 mi away); precipitation: Augusta 2, KY (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 41002

What planting zone is ZIP code 41002?

ZIP code 41002 (Augusta, 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 Augusta, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 41002 is April 11; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Augusta 2 station.

When is the first frost in Augusta, KY?

The median first fall frost near 41002 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 200 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 41002?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 41002 get?

About 47.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Augusta 2 station).

How hot do summers get in Augusta, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 41002 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lowell at the center of ZIP 41002: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Augusta, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 41002 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Augusta, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 41002 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.