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

Planting zone for 42463 — Wheatcroft, KY

ZIP code 42463 (Wheatcroft, Webster County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 42463 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 7
First frostOct 28
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 Wheatcroft, 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 Wheatcroft, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season203 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Providence, KY — 7 miles away, elevation 410 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 42463

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 42463 came on Mar 2 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8).

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 Wheatcroft, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42463 is Karnak — silty clay, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Karnak silty clay, 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 42463; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wheatcroft, KY

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days56days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights93nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,467base 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
Precipitation48.5 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 25 °F 43°25° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 28 °F 48°28° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 58 °F 83°58° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° 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: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 JanFebruary: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 FebMarch: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 2.61 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Providence, KY (7 mi away); precipitation: Providence, KY (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

424047a
Clay, KY · 2 mi
424607a
Sullivan, KY · 4 mi
424507a
Providence, KY · 8 mi
424597a
Sturgis, KY · 10 mi
424097a
Dixon, KY · 11 mi
424377a
Morganfield, KY · 12 mi
424417a
Nebo, KY · 14 mi
629197a
Cave In Rock, IL · 15 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42463

What planting zone is ZIP code 42463?

ZIP code 42463 (Wheatcroft, 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 Wheatcroft, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42463 is April 7; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Providence station.

When is the first frost in Wheatcroft, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42463 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 203 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42463?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42463 get?

About 48.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Providence station).

How hot do summers get in Wheatcroft, KY?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 56 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42463 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Karnak at the center of ZIP 42463: silty clay, poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Wheatcroft, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42463 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wheatcroft, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42463 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 42463 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 42463 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.