Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Lexington, Kentucky

Typical last spring frost April 13 (1 spring in 10 later than May 1). Typical first fall frost October 28 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 16). Growing season about 196 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until March 30 and fades out by May 1. It is unlikely from then until October 16, and likely again after November 8. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 13 and October 28.

January

  • January 26 to February 23: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)

February

  • February 9 to March 9: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)
  • February 23 to March 16: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 2 to 16: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 9 to 23: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 16 to 30: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 16 to 30: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)
  • March 30 to April 13: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • March 30 to April 13: Cauliflower (plant out)

April

  • April 13: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)
  • April 27: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • April 27: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

May

Nothing to start this month.

June

  • June 2 to 16: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)
  • June 22 to July 6: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

Nothing to start this month.

August

  • August 1: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 5: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 6: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 10: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 11: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 15: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 25: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 4: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 14: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 16: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 13 to 20: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Lexington Bluegrass Airport (station USW00093820), 8 miles from the center of Lexington. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/kentucky/lexington/

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