Marion, KY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season196 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Marion compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Marion falls between March 25 and April 30, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 196-day growing season is longer than 60% of the 785 Kentucky places with a regular frost season (state median 192 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 78 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Evansville, IN, 88 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 30 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 25 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
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 Marion, KY
Marion, KY frost dates — last frost Apr 11, first frost Oct 24, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Marion, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Princeton 1 Se, KY weather station, 30 km away (elevation 499 ft (152 m)).
Frost dates near Marion
- Crayne Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Fredonia Apr 11 · Oct 24
- Salem Apr 3 · Oct 30
- Dycusburg Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Burna Apr 3 · Oct 30
- Sullivan Apr 7 · Oct 28
- Hampton Apr 3 · Oct 30
- Tiline Apr 3 · Oct 30
- Smithland Apr 3 · Oct 30
- Sturgis Apr 7 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Marion, KY?
The median last spring frost in Marion, KY is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Marion, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Marion, KY?
About 196 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Marion, KY?
Marion, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.