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

Planting zone for 42374 — South Carrollton, KY

ZIP code 42374 (South Carrollton, Muhlenberg County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 42374 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 10
First frostOct 22
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 South Carrollton, 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 South Carrollton, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Beaver Dam, KY — 15 miles away, elevation 400 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 42374

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 42374 came on Mar 2 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

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 South Carrollton, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42374 is Zanesville — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Zanesville silt loam, 6 to 12 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 42374; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Carrollton, KY

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights92nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,246base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 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 49 °F, low 27 °F 49°27° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° 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 68 °F 88°68° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 65 °F 88°65° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 29 °F 47°29° 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: Beaver Dam, KY (15 mi away); precipitation: Powderly, KY (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

423307a
Central City, KY · 2 mi
423677a
Powderly, KY · 6 mi
423327a
Cleaton, KY · 6 mi
423257a
Bremen, KY · 7 mi
423697a
Rockport, KY · 8 mi
423287a
Centertown, KY · 9 mi
423507a
Island, KY · 9 mi
423727a
Sacramento, KY · 9 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42374

What planting zone is ZIP code 42374?

ZIP code 42374 (South Carrollton, 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 South Carrollton, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42374 is April 10; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beaver Dam station.

When is the first frost in South Carrollton, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42374 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42374?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42374 get?

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

How hot do summers get in South Carrollton, KY?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42374 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zanesville at the center of ZIP 42374: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in South Carrollton, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42374 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Carrollton, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42374 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 42374 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 42374 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.