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

Planting zone for 42142 — Glasgow, KY

ZIP code 42142 (Glasgow, Barren County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 42142 is

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 9
First frostOct 27
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 Glasgow, 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 Glasgow, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Glasgow, KY — within 1 mile, elevation 771 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 42142

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
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 9) 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 42142 came on Mar 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2).

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 Glasgow, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42142 is Baxter — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Baxter gravelly silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, 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 42142; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Glasgow, KY

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, January
Hot days52days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights80nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,756base 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
Precipitation54.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall6 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 29 °F 47°29° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 31 °F 52°31° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 47 °F 73°47° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 68 °F 90°68° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 66 °F 90°66° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 59 °F 84°59° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 32 °F 51°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.14 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 4.1❄2 JanFebruary: 4.40 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 4.4❄2 FebMarch: 5.15 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 5.2❄1 MarApril: 5.27 in precipitation 5.3 AprMay: 5.77 in precipitation 5.8 MayJune: 4.88 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 5.41 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 5.4❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Glasgow, KY (within 1 mile); precipitation: Glasgow, KY (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

421417a
Glasgow, KY · 4 mi
421307a
Eighty Eight, KY · 8 mi
421277a
Cave City, KY · 9 mi
421527a
Hiseville, KY · 9 mi
421547a
Knob Lick, KY · 11 mi
421317a
Etoile, KY · 11 mi
421567a
Lucas, KY · 12 mi
421607a
Park City, KY · 13 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Glasgow → · Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42142

What planting zone is ZIP code 42142?

ZIP code 42142 (Glasgow, 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 Glasgow, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42142 is April 9; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glasgow station.

When is the first frost in Glasgow, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42142 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42142?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42142 get?

About 54.9 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glasgow station).

How hot do summers get in Glasgow, KY?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 52 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42142 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Baxter at the center of ZIP 42142: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Glasgow, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42142 came on Mar 2 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Glasgow, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42142 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 42142 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 42142 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.