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

Planting zone for 42151 — Hestand, KY

ZIP code 42151 (Hestand, Monroe County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 42151 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 26
First frostOct 18
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 Hestand, 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 Hestand, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Summer Shade, KY — 18 miles away, elevation 863 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 42151

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24
BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 42151 came on Mar 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (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).

Soil in Hestand, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42151 is Garmon — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Garmon association, steep.

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 42151; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hestand, KY

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,103base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation55.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 24 °F 48°24° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 27 °F 53°27° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 34 °F 61°34° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 43 °F 72°43° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 52 °F 80°52° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 59 °F 86°59° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 63 °F 90°63° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 61 °F 89°61° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 55 °F 82°55° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 44 °F 73°44° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 33 °F 61°33° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 27 °F 51°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 JanFebruary: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 FebMarch: 5.09 in precipitation 5.1 MarApril: 5.16 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 5.65 in precipitation 5.7 JulAugust: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 5.46 in precipitation 5.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Summer Shade, KY (18 mi away); precipitation: Celina 0.3 Nne, TN (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

385517a
Celina, TN · 8 mi
421677a
Tompkinsville, KY · 8 mi
385757a
Moss, TN · 9 mi
427596b
Marrowbone, KY · 12 mi
427177a
Burkesville, KY · 12 mi
385417a
Allons, TN · 14 mi
421247a
Beaumont, KY · 15 mi
421407a
Gamaliel, KY · 16 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42151

What planting zone is ZIP code 42151?

ZIP code 42151 (Hestand, 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 Hestand, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42151 is April 26; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Summer Shade station.

When is the first frost in Hestand, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42151 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42151?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42151 get?

About 55.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Celina 0.3 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Hestand, KY?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42151 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Garmon at the center of ZIP 42151: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hestand, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42151 came on Mar 1 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hestand, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42151 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 42151 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 42151 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.