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

Planting zone for 41540 — Lick Creek, KY

ZIP code 41540 (Lick Creek, Pike County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 41540 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 22

First frostOct 23

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 Lick 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 Lick Creek, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season182 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Breaks Interstate Park, VA — 8 miles away, elevation 1,893 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 41540

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 41540 came on Mar 6 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
Mar 6

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 Lick Creek, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 41540 is Fedscreek — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.75%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fedscreek-Marrowbone-Dekalb complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, very stony.

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 41540; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lick Creek, KY

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights118nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,261base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 45 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

Precipitation44 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall8 inper year; 1 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: Breaks Interstate Park, VA (8 mi away); precipitation: Fedscreek 1 Se, KY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

Elkhorn City, KY · 6 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 41540

What planting zone is ZIP code 41540?

ZIP code 41540 (Lick Creek, 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 Lick Creek, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 41540 is April 22; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Breaks Interstate Park station.

When is the first frost in Lick Creek, KY?

The median first fall frost near 41540 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 182 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 41540?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 41540 get?

About 44 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fedscreek 1 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Lick Creek, KY?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 41540 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fedscreek at the center of ZIP 41540: channery loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 41540 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lick Creek, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 41540 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 41540 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 41540 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.