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

Planting zone for 42456 — Slaughters, KY

ZIP code 42456 (Slaughters, Webster County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 42456 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 2
First frostNov 1
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 Slaughters, 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 Slaughters, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 19
Growing season212 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 22 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Madisonville, KY — 11 miles away, elevation 427 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 42456

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 42456 came on Mar 2 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

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 Slaughters, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42456 is Hosmer — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hosmer silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded.

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 42456; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Slaughters, KY

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days53days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights80nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,871base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 45 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 34 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation50.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 32 °F 50°32° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 67 °F 86°67° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 40 °F 58°40° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 32 °F 48°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 FebMarch: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 5.15 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Madisonville, KY (11 mi away); precipitation: Hanson 2.2 Ne, KY (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

424557a
Sebree, KY · 5 mi
424137a
Hanson, KY · 5 mi
424367a
Manitou, KY · 7 mi
424097a
Dixon, KY · 10 mi
423227a
Beech Grove, KY · 10 mi
424447a
Poole, KY · 12 mi
424317a
Madisonville, KY · 12 mi
423717a
Rumsey, KY · 12 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42456

What planting zone is ZIP code 42456?

ZIP code 42456 (Slaughters, 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 Slaughters, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42456 is April 2; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Madisonville station.

When is the first frost in Slaughters, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42456 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 212 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42456?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42456 get?

About 50.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hanson 2.2 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Slaughters, KY?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 53 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42456 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hosmer at the center of ZIP 42456: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Slaughters, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42456 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Slaughters, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42456 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 42456 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 42456 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.