Center, KY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostNov 2median date
Growing season211 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Center compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Center falls between March 21 and April 24, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 18.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 211-day growing season is longer than 91% of the 785 Kentucky places with a regular frost season (state median 192 days).
- The last frost is 11 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 81 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bowling Green, KY, 66 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 21 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 2 |
| 90% (late) | November 18 |
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 Center, KY
Center, KY frost dates — last frost Apr 5, first frost Nov 2, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Center, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Sep 7 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 19 – Nov 23 |
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 Knob Lick 4s, KY weather station, 10 km away (elevation 1,020 ft (311 m)).
Frost dates near Center
- Knob Lick Apr 5 · Nov 2
- Hiseville Apr 5 · Nov 2
- Hardyville Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Edmonton Apr 5 · Nov 2
- Canmer Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Horse Cave Apr 9 · Oct 27
- Greensburg Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Cave City Apr 9 · Oct 27
- Gradyville Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Glasgow Apr 9 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Center, KY?
The median last spring frost in Center, KY is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Center, KY?
The median first fall frost is November 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Center, KY?
About 211 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Center, KY?
Center, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.