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

Planting zone for 41558 — Ransom, KY

ZIP code 41558 (Ransom, Pike County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 41558 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 8
First frostNov 2
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 Ransom, 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 Ransom, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 21
Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Williamson, WV — 10 miles away, elevation 761 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 41558

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 41558 came on Mar 3 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

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 7a in Kentucky

547 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Kentucky, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 78

Shrubs 109

Wildflowers & perennials 181

Grasses 153

Vines 14

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 Ransom, KY.

Soil in Ransom, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 41558 is Marrowbone — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.75%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Marrowbone-Fedscreek-Myra 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 41558; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ransom, KY

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days44days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights95nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,311base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 45 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 34 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation48.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall13 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 44 °F 72°44° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 35 °F 61°35° NovDecember: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.37 in precipitation, 4.4 in snowfall 3.4❄4 JanFebruary: 3.37 in precipitation, 3 in snowfall 3.4❄3 FebMarch: 4.68 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 4.7❄3 MarApril: 4.02 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.0 AprMay: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 5.38 in precipitation 5.4 JunJuly: 5.84 in precipitation 5.8 JulAugust: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 2.99 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.0 NovDecember: 4.12 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 4.1❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Williamson, WV (10 mi away); precipitation: Williamson, WV (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 41558

What planting zone is ZIP code 41558?

ZIP code 41558 (Ransom, 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 Ransom, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 41558 is April 8; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williamson station.

When is the first frost in Ransom, KY?

The median first fall frost near 41558 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 41558?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 41558 get?

About 48.3 inches of precipitation a year and 13 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williamson station).

How hot do summers get in Ransom, KY?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 44 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 41558 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Marrowbone at the center of ZIP 41558: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ransom, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 41558 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ransom, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 41558 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 41558 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 41558 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.