Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 42451 — Reed, KY

ZIP code 42451 (Reed, Henderson 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 November 2.

Where ZIP 42451 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 frostNov 2

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 Reed, 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 Reed, 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 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 22

Growing season214 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 22 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Newburgh L&D, IN — 4 miles away, elevation 381 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 42451

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 7 – Sep 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 42451 came on Mar 2 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11).

average
Mar 112026
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).

Native plants for zone 7a in Kentucky

547 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Kentucky, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Reed, KY.

Soil in Reed, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42451 is Ginat — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Ginat silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 42451; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Reed, KY

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights89nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,335base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation47.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall7 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Newburgh L&D, IN (4 mi away); precipitation: Newburgh L&D, IN (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

424587a

Spottsville, KY · 3 mi

Evansville, IN · 8 mi

476177a

Hatfield, IN · 8 mi

477507a

Evansville, IN · 8 mi

477147a

Evansville, IN · 9 mi

424207a

Henderson, KY · 9 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42451

What planting zone is ZIP code 42451?

ZIP code 42451 (Reed, 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 Reed, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42451 is April 3; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newburgh L&D station.

When is the first frost in Reed, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42451 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 214 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42451?

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 42451 get?

About 47.6 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newburgh L&D station).

How hot do summers get in Reed, KY?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42451 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ginat at the center of ZIP 42451: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Reed, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42451 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Reed, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42451 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 42451 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 42451 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.