USDA zone 7a in Kentucky
USDA plant hardiness zone 7a covers 69 locations across Kentucky (average annual extreme minimum 0 to 5 °F): Ashland, KY, Bardstown, KY, Beattyville, KY, Benton, KY, Berea, KY, Blaine, KY, and 63 more. Average last spring frost across this group ranges March 31 (Louisville/Jefferson County metro government) to April 29 (Pikeville), and growing seasons run 169–222 days (Hazel Green to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government) — even within one state, because hardiness sets winter survival, not planting dates. The table below gives every Kentucky location's own frost dates; the printable planting calendar uses Benton, this group's median-season location.
- USDA zone
- 7a0 to 5 °F
- Last frost range
- Mar 31–Apr 29avg, 32°F
- First frost range
- Oct 15–Nov 7avg, 32°F
- Growing season range
- 169–222days
Locations in this group
Every location below shares this zone and a nearby weather station, but keeps its own frost dates — find your town for its own numbers, or use the ZIP planner on the home page for an instant personalized answer.
| Location | Also covers | Nearest station | Last frost | First frost | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland | Ironton, Flatwoods, South Point, Raceland, Coal Grove, Worthington | Ashland | Apr 22 | Oct 23 | 181 |
| Bardstown | Springfield, Loretto, Chaplin, Raywick, Willisburg, New Haven, +1 more | Bardstown 5e | Apr 13 | Oct 25 | 195 |
| Beattyville | Stanton, Campton, Ravenna | Beattyville 4n | Apr 12 | Oct 25 | 192 |
| Benton * | — | Benton | Apr 9 | Oct 19 | 192 |
| Berea | Stanford, Lancaster, Crab Orchard, Eubank, McKinney | Crab Orchard 6 N | Apr 18 | Oct 24 | 188 |
| Blaine | — | Charley 2 Sw | Apr 24 | Oct 17 | 174 |
| Brownsville | Munfordville, Clarkson, Woodbury | Nolin Rvr Lake | Apr 22 | Oct 22 | 182 |
| Calvert | Ledbetter, Kuttawa, Grand Rivers, Burna, Gilbertsville, Salem, +3 more | Smithland L&d | Apr 3 | Oct 30 | 207 |
| Campbellsville | Lebanon, Liberty, Perryville, St. Mary, Hustonville, Bradfordsville | Bradfordsville | Apr 22 | Oct 20 | 180 |
| Campbellsville | Columbia, Summersville, Greensburg, Marrowbone, Hiseville, Hardyville | Greensburg | Apr 15 | Oct 24 | 192 |
| Cave | Horse Cave, Munfordville, Park, Smiths Grove | Mammoth Cave | Apr 9 | Oct 30 | 204 |
| Clinton | Fancy Farm, Bardwell, Arlington, Blandville | Bardwell 2 E | Apr 6 | Oct 30 | 204 |
| Columbia | Russell Springs | Jamestown Wwtp | Apr 18 | Oct 24 | 189 |
| Cumberland | Hindman, Vicco, Jeff, Blackey | Skyline 1 Se | Apr 18 | Oct 28 | 191 |
| Danville | Junction | Danville | Apr 9 | Oct 27 | 199 |
| Dunmor | Beechmont, McHenry, Cleaton, Drakesboro, Rochester | Rochester Ferry | Apr 15 | Oct 20 | 187 |
| Edmonton | Hiseville | Knob Lick 4s | Apr 5 | Nov 2 | 211 |
| Elizabethtown | Radcliff, Rineyville, Cecilia | Elizabethtown Wp Cs | Apr 16 | Oct 25 | 191 |
| Flat Lick | Pineville, Barbourville, Artemus, Rockholds, Pleasant View, Arjay | Barbourville | Apr 19 | Oct 24 | 187 |
| Fort Knox | Vine Grove, Brandenburg, Corydon, Irvington, Muldraugh, Mauckport, +4 more | Brandenburg | Apr 19 | Oct 24 | 186 |
| Franklin | Orlinda | Portland Sewage Plt | Apr 5 | Nov 1 | 210 |
| Glasgow | Oakland, Fountain Run | Barren Rvr Lake | Apr 12 | Oct 29 | 198 |
| Hardinsburg | Caneyville, Cloverport, Rosine, Fordsville, Whitesville | Rough Rvr Lake | Apr 17 | Oct 23 | 187 |
| Harrodsburg | Wilmore, Burgin | Dix Dam | Apr 7 | Nov 1 | 206 |
| Hartford | Rockport, McHenry, Rosine, Centertown | Beaver Dam | Apr 10 | Oct 22 | 192 |
| Hazard | Hindman, Wayland, Jackson, Campton, Maytown, Buckhorn, +1 more | Jackson | Apr 6 | Nov 1 | 208 |
| Hazel Green | — | W Liberty 3nw | Apr 29 | Oct 16 | 169 |
| Hodgenville | Magnolia, Big Clifty, Upton, Sonora, Buffalo, Raywick, +3 more | Hodgenville Lincoln P | Apr 16 | Oct 25 | 191 |
| Hopkinsville | Cadiz, Cerulean, Pembroke, Crofton, LaFayette, Gracey | Hopkinsville | Apr 4 | Nov 2 | 211 |
| Hyden | Buckhorn, Combs | Buckhorn Lake | Apr 19 | Oct 25 | 188 |
| Irvington | — | Corners | Apr 25 | Oct 16 | 172 |
| Jeffersonville | Ezel, Frenchburg | Cave Run Lake | Apr 17 | Oct 25 | 189 |
| Leitchfield | Caneyville, Big Clifty | Leitchfield 2 N | Apr 26 | Oct 15 | 172 |
| Lexington-Fayette | Nicholasville, Versailles, Salvisa, Keene | Lexington Bluegrass Ap | Apr 13 | Oct 28 | 196 |
| London | Corbin, East Bernstadt, North Corbin | London Corbin Ap | Apr 15 | Oct 25 | 192 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Sellersburg, Prospect, Memphis, Ten Broeck | Louisville Bowman Fld | Apr 3 | Nov 3 | 214 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | New Albany, Shively, Hollyvilla, Elizabeth, New Middletown | Louisville Intl Ap | Mar 31 | Nov 7 | 222 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | Mount Washington, Elk Creek, Taylorsville | Louisville Wfo | Apr 6 | Nov 1 | 209 |
| Madisonville | Central, Greenville, White Plains, Earlington, Hanson, Powderly, +8 more | Madisonville | Apr 2 | Nov 1 | 212 |
| Manchester | — | Manchester 4 W | Apr 29 | Oct 16 | 170 |
| Massac | Bandana, Symsonia, Cunningham, Hickory, Lowes, La Center, +3 more | Paducah | Apr 5 | Oct 28 | 206 |
| Middlesborough | Harrogate, Bean Station, New Tazewell, Tazewell, Ewing, Pineville | Tazewell | Apr 23 | Oct 19 | 177 |
| Monticello | Burnside, Jamestown, Albany | Monticello 3 Ne | Apr 18 | Oct 26 | 190 |
| Mount Vernon | McKee, Brodhead, Livingston | Mt Vernon | Apr 18 | Oct 24 | 189 |
| Oak Grove | Fort Campbell North | Clarksville Outlaw Ap | Apr 6 | Oct 28 | 204 |
| Oneida | Hyden | Oneida | Apr 16 | Oct 26 | 192 |
| Oneida | — | Booneville 12sw | Apr 24 | Oct 19 | 178 |
| Paintsville | Van Lear, Inez, West Van Lear, Auxier, Blaine | Paintsville 1e | Apr 19 | Oct 25 | 188 |
| Pikeville | Jenkins, Elkhorn, Dante, McRoberts, Clinchco, McDowell, +7 more | Clintwood 1w | Apr 29 | Oct 16 | 169 |
| Pikeville | Coal Run, Phelps, Red Jacket, Chattaroy, Delbarton, South Williamson, +6 more | Williamson | Apr 8 | Nov 2 | 206 |
| Pine Knot | Stearns, Whitley | Stearns 2s | Apr 24 | Oct 18 | 177 |
| Plano | Plum Springs, Woodburn, Woodbury | Bowling Green Warren Co Ap | Apr 5 | Oct 31 | 208 |
| Prestonsburg | Hindman, Wayland, McDowell, Salyersville, Betsy Layne, Martin, +3 more | Prestonsburg 3wsw | Apr 23 | Oct 23 | 183 |
| Princeton | Eddyville, Dawson Springs, Fredonia | Princeton 1 Se | Apr 11 | Oct 24 | 196 |
| Providence | Marion, Sturgis, Dixon, Clay, Nebo, Wheatcroft | Providence | Apr 7 | Oct 28 | 203 |
| Richmond | — | Eastern Kentucky Univ | Apr 15 | Oct 22 | 190 |
| Robards | Sebree, Morganfield, Beech Grove, Poole, Anthoston, Corydon, +3 more | Henderson 8 Ssw | Apr 4 | Oct 29 | 207 |
| Russellville | Elkton, Auburn, Adairville, Lewisburg, Allensville | Russellville | Apr 9 | Oct 28 | 200 |
| Salyersville | — | Salyersville Wtr Wks | Apr 25 | Oct 21 | 179 |
| Scottsville | Fountain Run, Fairfield | Scottsville | Apr 15 | Oct 25 | 194 |
| Shepherdsville | Lebanon Junction, West Point, Fairfield | Bernheim Forest | Apr 18 | Oct 25 | 189 |
| Somerset | Russell Springs, Burnside, Whitley, Ferguson, Eubank, Science Hill, +1 more | Somerset 2 N | Apr 5 | Oct 30 | 206 |
| South Wallins | Rose Hill, Cumberland, Manchester, Cawood, Harlan, Hyden, +9 more | Baxter | Apr 15 | Oct 30 | 197 |
| Stanton | — | Stanton 2w | Apr 19 | Oct 20 | 184 |
| Tompkinsville | Summer Shade, Celina | Summer Shade | Apr 26 | Oct 18 | 174 |
| Trenton | — | Clarksville Wwtp | Apr 3 | Nov 1 | 212 |
| Utica | Livermore, Calhoun, Island | Calhoun Lock 2 | Apr 2 | Nov 1 | 211 |
| Westport | — | Madison Sewage Plt | Apr 11 | Oct 31 | 201 |
| Whitesburg | Mayking, Pippa Passes | Whitesburg 2se | Apr 21 | Oct 22 | 183 |
* Benton is this group's median-season location — the calendar below is computed from its data.
Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (public domain) and USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023. Planting windows synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides.
Planting calendar (Benton, representative)
Computed from Benton's average frost dates — the median-season location in this Kentuckyzone 7a group. hatched = start seeds indoors, solid green = plant out, teal = a fall sowing, and the terracotta dot marks the estimated first harvest. Ranges are extension-guide planning guidance, not guarantees — your own location's dates may run a week or two earlier or later (see the table above).
- Start indoors
- Plant out
- Fall sowing
- First harvest
| Crop | Frost tolerance | Start indoors | Plant out | First harvest | Fall planting | Season fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Tender | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Jun 15 – Jul 5 | — | matures comfortably |
| Pepper | Very tender | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 22 – Jul 22 | — | matures comfortably |
| Cucumber | Tender | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Jun 5 – Jun 25 | — | matures comfortably |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Tender | — | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | May 31 – Jun 15 | — | matures comfortably |
| Bush bean | Tender | — | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Jun 5 – Jun 15 | Aug 20 – Aug 30 | matures comfortably |
| Sweet corn | Tender | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jun 8 – Jul 8 | — | matures comfortably |
| Basil | Very tender | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | May 16 – May 31 | — | matures comfortably |
| Lettuce | Half-hardy | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 26 – May 11 | Aug 6 – Aug 21 | matures comfortably |
| Pea | Hardy | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 22 – May 7 | Jul 27 – Aug 11 | matures comfortably |
| Spinach | Hardy | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 7 – Apr 17 | Aug 16 – Aug 26 | matures comfortably |
| Carrot | Half-hardy | — | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | May 18 – Jun 7 | Jul 17 – Aug 6 | matures comfortably |
| Broccoli | Half-hardy | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 6 – May 26 | Jul 22 – Aug 11 | matures comfortably |
Which crops fit this growing season
Using Benton's own 192-day growing season (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020 median) against each crop's real days-to-maturity range: 12 of 12 crops mature here with comfortable margin. A different location in the table above with a longer or shorter season will get a different mix — the ZIP planner on the home page gives your own.
Frost & freeze dates (Benton)
From NOAA's 1991–2020 Climate Normals at station USC00150611. The median (p50) is the average date; the 90%-safe column is the date the freeze has passed in about 9 years out of 10 — the conservative date to plant after or harvest before.
| Threshold | Last spring — avg | Last spring — 90%-safe | First fall — avg | First fall — 90%-safe | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 24 | May 11 | Oct 10 | Oct 22 | 170 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 9 | Apr 28 | Oct 19 | Oct 29 | 192 |
| 28°F | Mar 31 | Apr 14 | Oct 28 | Nov 11 | 212 |
| 24°F | Mar 18 | Apr 3 | Nov 9 | Nov 30 | 238 |
Growing degree days
Growing degree days (GDD) accumulate warmth above a base temperature over the year — a better predictor of crop development than the calendar alone. This group's median GDD (base 50°F) across all 69 locations is 4,085; Benton's own reading is shown below.
| Model | °F·days | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Base 50°F (warm-season) | 4,147 | standard warm-season base (tomato, corn, beans) |
| Base 40°F (cool-season) | 6,822 | cool-season crops (brassicas, greens) |
Hardiness zone 7a in Kentucky
Zone 7a means an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of about 0 to 5 °F on the USDA's 2023 map — the number that tells you which perennials, shrubs, and trees reliably survive an average winter here. It does not set your planting dates, which come from the frost calendar above. Kentucky spans 3 hardiness zones in this dataset — see all Kentucky locations for the full range, including zones6b, 7b.
Explore zone 7a in other states at zone 7a, or see all USDA hardiness zones.
Frequently asked questions
- What does USDA hardiness zone 7a mean in Kentucky?
- Zone 7a means an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 0 to 5 °F — the standard USDA measure of which perennials survive winter. 69 locations in Kentucky fall in this zone. It does not set planting dates; see the frost calendar below for that.
- Where in Kentucky's zone 7a is the growing season longest?
- Louisville/Jefferson County metro government runs the longest season on this page at about 222 days; Hazel Green is shortest at about 169 days — they share the same hardiness zone, but they sit at different weather stations, so their frost calendars differ.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Kentucky's zone 7a?
- Using Benton's frost dates (this page's median-season location): start seeds indoors about Feb 12 – Feb 26, then transplant outside about Apr 16 – Apr 23. Your own location in the table above may differ by a week or two — use the ZIP planner on the home page for your exact station's dates.
- Does every location in Kentucky's zone 7a have the same frost dates?
- No — they do not all share a weather station, so frost dates vary by a week or more across the 69 locations listed (see the table above for each location's own dates).
Sources & method
Frost, freeze, growing-season, and growing-degree-day figures are NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, one reading per location's own nearest station (see the table above). The hardiness zone is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023, matched to each location's ZIP. Planting windows are computed by counting from the average last and first frost using per-crop offsets synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides — the full method and citations are on the methodology page.