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

Planting zone for 41740 — Emmalena, KY

ZIP code 41740 (Emmalena, Knott County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 41740 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 18
First frostOct 28
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 Emmalena, 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 Emmalena, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Skyline 1 Se, KY — 19 miles away, elevation 1,083 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 41740

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 41740 came on Mar 2 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 Emmalena, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 41740 is Fiveblock — channery sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureChannery sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fiveblock and Kaymine soils, 0 to 30 percent slopes, 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 41740; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Emmalena, KY

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights100nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,809base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 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
Precipitation47 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 42 °F 70°42° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 JulAugust: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Skyline 1 Se, KY (19 mi away); precipitation: Hazard State Police, KY (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

417257a
Carrie, KY · 3 mi
417727a
Vest, KY · 4 mi
418227a
Hindman, KY · 4 mi
417227a
Bulan, KY · 5 mi
417397a
Dwarf, KY · 5 mi
417127a
Ary, KY · 5 mi
418317a
Leburn, KY · 6 mi
417737a
Vicco, KY · 7 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 41740

What planting zone is ZIP code 41740?

ZIP code 41740 (Emmalena, 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 Emmalena, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 41740 is April 18; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Skyline 1 Se station.

When is the first frost in Emmalena, KY?

The median first fall frost near 41740 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 41740?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 41740 get?

About 47 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hazard State Police station).

How hot do summers get in Emmalena, KY?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 41740 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fiveblock at the center of ZIP 41740: channery sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Emmalena, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 41740 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Emmalena, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 41740 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 41740 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 41740 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.