Benton, KY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 9median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season193 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Benton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Benton falls between March 27 and April 28, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier 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 7 days earlier than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 103 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Clarksville, TN, 98 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 19 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 27 |
| 50% (median) | April 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Benton, KY
Benton, KY frost dates — last frost Apr 9, first frost Oct 19, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 14
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Benton, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 12 – Apr 16 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Basil | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 16 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
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 Benton, KY weather station, 3 km away (elevation 364 ft (111 m)).
Frost dates near Benton
- Gilbertsville Apr 9 · Oct 19
- Hardin Mar 30 · Nov 4
- Symsonia Apr 9 · Oct 19
- Calvert City Apr 3 · Oct 30
- Dexter Mar 30 · Nov 4
- Almo Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Ledbetter Apr 3 · Oct 30
- Grand Rivers Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Kirksey Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Boaz Apr 5 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Benton, KY?
The median last spring frost in Benton, KY is April 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Benton, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Benton, KY?
About 193 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Benton, KY?
Benton, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.