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

Planting zone for 42332 — Cleaton, KY

ZIP code 42332 (Cleaton, Muhlenberg County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 42332 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 15
First frostOct 20
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 Cleaton, 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 Cleaton, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 9
Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Rochester Ferry, KY — 11 miles away, elevation 390 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 42332

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 42332 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).

Soil in Cleaton, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42332 is Zanesville — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Zanesville 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 42332; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cleaton, KY

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights97nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,018base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 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
Precipitation47.4 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 44 °F, low 24 °F 44°24° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 61 °F 86°61° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 65 °F 89°65° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 63 °F 88°63° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 56 °F 82°56° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 43 °F 71°43° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 27 °F 48°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.90 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 2.98 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rochester Ferry, KY (11 mi away); precipitation: Powderly, KY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

423677a
Powderly, KY · 4 mi
423267a
Browder, KY · 4 mi
423307a
Central City, KY · 5 mi
423217a
Beech Creek, KY · 5 mi
423237a
Beechmont, KY · 6 mi
423747a
South Carrollton, KY · 6 mi
423697a
Rockport, KY · 8 mi
423377a
Drakesboro, KY · 8 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42332

What planting zone is ZIP code 42332?

ZIP code 42332 (Cleaton, 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 Cleaton, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42332 is April 15; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rochester Ferry station.

When is the first frost in Cleaton, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42332 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42332?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42332 get?

About 47.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Powderly station).

How hot do summers get in Cleaton, KY?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42332 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zanesville at the center of ZIP 42332: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cleaton, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42332 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 Cleaton, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42332 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 42332 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 42332 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.