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

Planting zone for 42056 — La Center, KY

ZIP code 42056 (La Center, Ballard County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 42056 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 3
First frostNov 5
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 La Center, 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 La Center, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 23
Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 22 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Grand Chain Dam 53, IL — 7 miles away, elevation 384 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 42056

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 42056 came on Mar 1 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5).

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

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 109

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 181

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 153

autumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fblister sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbluejoint5 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 La Center, KY.

Soil in La Center, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42056 is Grenada — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Grenada silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded.

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 42056; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in La Center, KY

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights80nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,461base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 36 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.5 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 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 30 °F 48°30° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 47 °F 68°47° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 31 °F 47°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 5.76 in precipitation 5.8 MarApril: 5.50 in precipitation 5.5 AprMay: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Grand Chain Dam 53, IL (7 mi away); precipitation: Kevil 4.6 Nw, KY (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

420227a
Bandana, KY · 3 mi
420247a
Barlow, KY · 4 mi
420537a
Kevil, KY · 6 mi
420877a
Wickliffe, KY · 9 mi
629417a
Grand Chain, IL · 10 mi
629637a
Mound City, IL · 10 mi
629707a
Olmsted, IL · 10 mi
629967a
Villa Ridge, IL · 10 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42056

What planting zone is ZIP code 42056?

ZIP code 42056 (La Center, 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 La Center, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42056 is April 3; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grand Chain Dam 53 station.

When is the first frost in La Center, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42056 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42056?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42056 get?

About 51.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kevil 4.6 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in La Center, KY?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42056 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Grenada at the center of ZIP 42056: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in La Center, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42056 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in La Center, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42056 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.