Fords Branch, KY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season184 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Fords Branch compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fords Branch falls between April 8 and May 8, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 184-day growing season is longer than 22% of the 785 Kentucky places with a regular frost season (state median 192 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later 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 118 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kingsport, TN, 100 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 19 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 8 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Fords Branch, KY
Fords Branch, KY frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 23, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fords Branch, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 Breaks Interstate Park, VA weather station, 25 km away (elevation 1,893 ft (577 m)).
Frost dates near Fords Branch
- Shelbiana Apr 22 · Oct 23
- Pikeville Apr 8 · Nov 2
- Robinson Creek Apr 22 · Oct 23
- Raccoon Apr 8 · Nov 2
- Teaberry Apr 23 · Oct 23
- Rockhouse Apr 22 · Oct 23
- Regina Apr 22 · Oct 23
- Lookout Apr 22 · Oct 23
- Grethel Apr 23 · Oct 23
- Jonancy Apr 29 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fords Branch, KY?
The median last spring frost in Fords Branch, KY is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fords Branch, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Fords Branch, KY?
About 184 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fords Branch, KY?
Fords Branch, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.