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

Planting zone for 42234 — Guthrie, KY

ZIP code 42234 (Guthrie, Todd 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 October 29.

Where ZIP 42234 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 frostOct 29
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 Guthrie, 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 Guthrie, 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 frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season207 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Elkton, KY — 6 miles away, elevation 620 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 42234

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 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 42234 came on Feb 25 — 5 days earlier than 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 Guthrie, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42234 is Crider — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Crider 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 42234; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Guthrie, KY

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights87nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,383base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 41 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
Precipitation52.2 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 43 °F, low 24 °F 43°24° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 47 °F 70°47° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 29 °F 47°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 FebMarch: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 MarApril: 5.52 in precipitation 5.5 AprMay: 5.37 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elkton, KY (6 mi away); precipitation: Guthrie 0.8 Wnw, KY (5 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.

422867a
Trenton, KY · 5 mi
422047a
Allensville, KY · 5 mi
422657a
Olmstead, KY · 10 mi
422667a
Pembroke, KY · 10 mi
422217a
Fairview, KY · 11 mi
370107b
Adams, TN · 11 mi
422207a
Elkton, KY · 13 mi
422627a
Oak Grove, KY · 15 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42234

What planting zone is ZIP code 42234?

ZIP code 42234 (Guthrie, 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 Guthrie, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42234 is April 3; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elkton station.

When is the first frost in Guthrie, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42234 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 207 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42234?

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 42234 get?

About 52.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Guthrie 0.8 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Guthrie, KY?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42234 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Crider at the center of ZIP 42234: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Guthrie, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42234 came on Feb 25 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Guthrie, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42234 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.