Benham, KY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season193 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Benham compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Benham falls between April 6 and May 2, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 193-day growing season is longer than 51% of the 785 Kentucky places with a regular frost season (state median 192 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 100 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kingsport, TN, 60 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Benham, KY
Benham, KY frost dates — last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 28, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Benham, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 21 – Apr 25 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Skyline 1 Se, KY weather station, 14 km away (elevation 1,083 ft (330 m)).
Frost dates near Benham
- Lynch Apr 18 · Oct 28
- Cumberland Apr 18 · Oct 28
- Linefork Apr 18 · Oct 28
- Partridge Apr 21 · Oct 22
- Holmes Mill Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Gordon Apr 18 · Oct 28
- Closplint Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Hallie Apr 18 · Oct 28
- Delphia Apr 18 · Oct 28
- Totz Apr 18 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Benham, KY?
The median last spring frost in Benham, KY is April 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Benham, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Benham, KY?
About 193 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Benham, KY?
Benham, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.