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Frost Dates in Kentucky
First and last frost dates across Kentucky, computed from 41 NOAA weather stations (1991–2020 climate normals). Your exact date depends on your city and microclimate — use the ZIP lookup on the main tool for a station-specific answer.
Last spring frost
Apr 15
statewide median · range Mar 31–Apr 29
First fall frost
Oct 25
statewide median · range Oct 15–Nov 7
Growing season
192 days
median · range 169–222
Stations used
41
NOAA 1991–2020 normals
Frost dates by city
Median dates from the nearest NOAA station to each city. The "cautious" date is the 10% spring value — planting after it means only a ~10% chance of a later frost.
| City | Nearest station | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Growing season | Safe transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | Louisville Intl Ap · 5 mi | Mar 31 (cautious: Apr 16) | Nov 7 | 222 days | Apr 14 |
| Lexington | Lexington Bluegrass Ap · 6 mi | Apr 13 (cautious: May 1) | Oct 28 | 196 days | Apr 27 |
| Bowling Green | Bowling Green Warren Co Ap · 2 mi | Apr 5 (cautious: Apr 21) | Oct 31 | 208 days | Apr 19 |
How frost varies across Kentucky
Spring frost timing spans about 29 days across the state. Louisville in Kentucky typically sees its last spring frost around March 31, while W Liberty in eastern Kentucky doesn't clear frost until about April 29. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Kentucky
As a rule of thumb, cool-season crops (lettuce, peas, spinach) can go in 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost; warm-season transplants (tomatoes, peppers) should wait about 2 weeks after it — around April 29 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 29-day statewide spread makes the city-level date the one that matters.
These are climate normals (what's typical), not forecasts. For the current year, watch the 10-day forecast around your planting date.
How this is computed
Statewide medians are the median of the 41 NOAA stations' median frost dates — half the stations run earlier, half later. City rows use the nearest station with 30-year freeze records. Dates are 32°F freeze probabilities from NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals; nothing is estimated or interpolated.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost date in Kentucky?
The statewide median last spring frost is April 15, but it ranges from March 31 to April 29 depending on where in the state you are. Use your city's row in the table above, or the ZIP lookup on the main tool, for a station-specific date.
When can I plant tomatoes outside in Kentucky?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around April 29 for the statewide median. Your city may differ by weeks; check the "safe transplant" column in the city table.
How long is the growing season in Kentucky?
The median growing season across 41 NOAA stations is 192 days, ranging from 169 to 222 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Kentucky?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Kentucky, last spring frost dates span about 29 days — from around March 31 near Louisville to April 29 near W Liberty. Microclimates (low spots, valleys, urban heat) shift dates further at the garden level.
Where does this data come from?
All frost dates are computed from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals freeze data (public domain), using each station's 32°F freeze probability statistics. No dates are estimated or interpolated.