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

Planting zone for 42055 — Kuttawa, KY

ZIP code 42055 (Kuttawa, Lyon County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 42055 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 frostMar 27

First frostNov 8

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 Kuttawa, 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 Kuttawa, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 15 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Eddyville 5s, KY — 6 miles away, elevation 522 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 42055

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 27) and first fall frost (Nov 8) 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 42055 came on Feb 26 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2).

average
Mar 22026
Feb 26

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 Kuttawa, KY.

Soil in Kuttawa, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42055 is Nicholson — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nicholson silt loam, 2 to 6 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 42055; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kuttawa, KY

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days50days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,132base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 43 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

Precipitation53.1 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: Eddyville 5s, KY (6 mi away); precipitation: Eddyville 5s, KY (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

420457a

Grand Rivers, KY · 5 mi

Gilbertsville, KY · 9 mi

424117a

Fredonia, KY · 12 mi

420297a

Calvert City, KY · 12 mi

420337a

Crayne, KY · 14 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42055

What planting zone is ZIP code 42055?

ZIP code 42055 (Kuttawa, 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 Kuttawa, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42055 is March 27; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eddyville 5s station.

When is the first frost in Kuttawa, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42055 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 225 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42055?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 30 – Feb 13 and set transplants outside around Apr 3 – Apr 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42055 get?

About 53.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eddyville 5s station).

How hot do summers get in Kuttawa, KY?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 50 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42055 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nicholson at the center of ZIP 42055: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Kuttawa, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42055 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kuttawa, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42055 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.