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

Planting zone for 41173 — Soldier, KY

ZIP code 41173 (Soldier, Carter County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 41173 is

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 10

First frostOct 31

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 Soldier, 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 Soldier, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Gimlet 9n, KY — 8 miles away, elevation 1,119 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 41173

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 41173 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 Soldier, KY.

Soil in Soldier, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 41173 is Wernock — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wernock silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes.

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 41173; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Soldier, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights98nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,840base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 30 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation50.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gimlet 9n, KY (8 mi away); precipitation: Morehead 6.4 Ne, KY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

403176b

Elliottville, KY · 6 mi

411356b

Emerson, KY · 7 mi

411646b

Olive Hill, KY · 7 mi

403516b

Morehead, KY · 9 mi

403136b

Clearfield, KY · 11 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 41173

What planting zone is ZIP code 41173?

ZIP code 41173 (Soldier, 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 Soldier, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 41173 is April 10; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gimlet 9n station.

When is the first frost in Soldier, KY?

The median first fall frost near 41173 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 41173?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 41173 get?

About 50.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morehead 6.4 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Soldier, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 41173 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wernock at the center of ZIP 41173: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Soldier, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 41173 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 Soldier, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 41173 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.