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

Planting zone for 42003 — Paducah, KY

ZIP code 42003 (Paducah, McCracken County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 42003 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 6

First frostOct 27

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Paducah, 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 Paducah, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 15

Growing season203 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Brookport Dam 52, IL — 9 miles away, elevation 331 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 42003

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 42003 came on Mar 1 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

average
Mar 62026
Mar 1

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.

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 Paducah, KY.

Soil in Paducah, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42003 is Okaw — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Okaw silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded.

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 42003; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Paducah, KY

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days42days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights83nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,362base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 42 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation49.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 7 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: Brookport Dam 52, IL (9 mi away); precipitation: Brookport Dam 52, IL (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

Brookport, IL · 11 mi

420517a

Hickory, KY · 11 mi

420297a

Calvert City, KY · 11 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Paducah → · Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42003

What planting zone is ZIP code 42003?

ZIP code 42003 (Paducah, 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 Paducah, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42003 is April 6; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brookport Dam 52 station.

When is the first frost in Paducah, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42003 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 203 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42003?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42003 get?

About 49.1 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brookport Dam 52 station).

How hot do summers get in Paducah, KY?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 42 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42003 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Okaw at the center of ZIP 42003: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Paducah, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42003 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Paducah, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42003 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.