Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 41143 — Grayson, KY

ZIP code 41143 (Grayson, Carter County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 41143 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 frostMay 2

First frostOct 11

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 Grayson, 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 Grayson, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Grayson 3 Sw, KY — 3 miles away, elevation 699 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 41143

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 41143 came on Mar 8 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
Mar 8

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.

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 Grayson, KY.

Soil in Grayson, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 41143 is Latham — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Latham-Shelocta association, 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 41143; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Grayson, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights137nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,396base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation46.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall18 inper year; 13 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Grayson 3 Sw, KY (3 mi away); precipitation: Grayson 2 E, KY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Olive Hill, KY · 10 mi

411216b

Argillite, KY · 11 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 41143

What planting zone is ZIP code 41143?

ZIP code 41143 (Grayson, 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 Grayson, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 41143 is May 2; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grayson 3 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Grayson, KY?

The median first fall frost near 41143 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 41143?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 41143 get?

About 46.1 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grayson 2 E station).

How hot do summers get in Grayson, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 41143 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Latham at the center of ZIP 41143: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Grayson, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 41143 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Grayson, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 41143 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 41143 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 41143 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.