Sparta, KY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season181 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Sparta compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sparta falls between April 9 and May 9, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 181-day growing season is longer than 15% of the 785 Kentucky places with a regular frost season (state median 192 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 120 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Cincinnati, OH, 59 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 Sparta, KY
Sparta, KY frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 21, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sparta, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Glencoe 6 Nw, KY weather station, 6 km away (elevation 489 ft (149 m)).
Frost dates near Sparta
- Glencoe Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Warsaw Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Sanders Apr 17 · Oct 29
- New Liberty Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Jonesville Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Ghent Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Worthville Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Verona Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Dry Ridge Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Crittenden Apr 11 · Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sparta, KY?
The median last spring frost in Sparta, KY is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sparta, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Sparta, KY?
About 181 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sparta, KY?
Sparta, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.