Mount Vernon, KY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Mount Vernon compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mount Vernon falls between March 31 and May 6, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 13 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 189-day growing season is longer than 37% of the 785 Kentucky places with a regular frost season (state median 192 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 101 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lexington, KY, 71 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 9 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 13 |
| 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 Mount Vernon, KY
Mount Vernon, KY frost dates — last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 24, zone 7a. 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: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
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 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
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 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mount Vernon, 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 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| 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 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| 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 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| 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 Mt Vernon, KY weather station, 5 km away (elevation 1,161 ft (354 m)).
Frost dates near Mount Vernon
- Renfro Valley Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Wildie Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Orlando Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Brodhead Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Livingston Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Crab Orchard Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Berea Apr 5 · Nov 2
- Bighill Apr 5 · Nov 2
- Sandgap Apr 5 · Nov 2
- East Bernstadt Apr 15 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mount Vernon, KY?
The median last spring frost in Mount Vernon, KY is April 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mount Vernon, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 13.
How long is the growing season in Mount Vernon, KY?
About 189 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mount Vernon, KY?
Mount Vernon, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.