Planting zone for 42740 — Glendale, KY
ZIP code 42740 (Glendale, 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 42740 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Glendale, 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 Glendale, KY
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 3.
From the NOAA station Elizabethtown Wp Cs, KY — 7 miles away, 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 42740
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 42740 came on Mar 5 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).
Mar 92026
Mar 5
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.
Trees 78
Shrubs 109
Wildflowers & perennials 181
Grasses 153
Vines 14
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 Glendale, KY.
Soil in Glendale, KY
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 42740 is Crider — silt loam, well drained.
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 42740; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Glendale, KY
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elizabethtown Wp Cs, KY (7 mi away); precipitation: Glendale, KY (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.
Questions about 42740
What planting zone is ZIP code 42740?
ZIP code 42740 (Glendale, 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 Glendale, KY?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 42740 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 Glendale, KY?
The median first fall frost near 42740 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 42740?
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 42740 get?
About 52.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glendale station).
How hot do summers get in Glendale, 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 42740 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Crider at the center of ZIP 42740: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).
Did spring come early in Glendale, KY in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 42740 came on Mar 5 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Glendale, KY?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 42740 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 42740 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 42740 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.