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

Planting zone for 42533 — Ferguson, KY

ZIP code 42533 (Ferguson, Pulaski County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 42533 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 5

First frostOct 30

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 Ferguson, 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 Ferguson, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Somerset 2 N, KY — 3 miles away, elevation 1,020 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 42533

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 42533 came on Mar 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3).

average
Mar 32026
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 Ferguson, KY.

Soil in Ferguson, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42533 is Fredonia — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fredonia-Frederick rocky silt loams, 6 to 20 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 42533; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ferguson, KY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights94nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,444base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation49.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall11 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Somerset 2 N, KY (3 mi away); precipitation: Somerset 2 Ne, KY (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

425027a

Somerset, KY · 2 mi

425647a

West Somerset, KY · 3 mi

Science Hill, KY · 9 mi

425187a

Bronston, KY · 12 mi

Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42533

What planting zone is ZIP code 42533?

ZIP code 42533 (Ferguson, 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 Ferguson, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42533 is April 5; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Somerset 2 N station.

When is the first frost in Ferguson, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42533 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42533?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42533 get?

About 49.9 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Somerset 2 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Ferguson, KY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42533 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fredonia at the center of ZIP 42533: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Ferguson, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42533 came on Mar 2 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ferguson, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42533 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 42533 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 42533 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.