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

Planting zone for 42702 — Elizabethtown, KY

ZIP code 42702 (Elizabethtown, Hardin County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 42702 is

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 16

First frostOct 25

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 Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown, KY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Elizabethtown Wp Cs, KY — within 1 mile, elevation 689 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 42702

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 42702 came on Mar 2 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
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 Elizabethtown, KY.

Soil in Elizabethtown, KY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42702 is Crider — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Crider silt loam, 2 to 6 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 42702; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elizabethtown, KY

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights98nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,868base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 46 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elizabethtown Wp Cs, KY (within 1 mile); precipitation: Elizabethtown 1.8 Se, KY (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

427017a

Elizabethtown, KY · 1 mi

Rineyville, KY · 11 mi

427247a

Cecilia, KY · 12 mi

427487a

Hodgenville, KY · 13 mi

427767a

Sonora, KY · 13 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Elizabethtown → · Kentucky planting zones →

Questions about 42702

What planting zone is ZIP code 42702?

ZIP code 42702 (Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown, KY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42702 is April 16; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elizabethtown Wp Cs station.

When is the first frost in Elizabethtown, KY?

The median first fall frost near 42702 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 42702?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 42702 get?

About 52.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elizabethtown 1.8 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Elizabethtown, KY?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 42702 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Crider at the center of ZIP 42702: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Elizabethtown, KY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 42702 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elizabethtown, KY?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42702 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 42702 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 42702 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.