Stearns, KY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season177 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Stearns compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Stearns falls between April 8 and May 11, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 177-day growing season is longer than 10% of the 785 Kentucky places with a regular frost season (state median 192 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 119 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Knoxville, TN, 96 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 23 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 8 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
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 Stearns, KY
Stearns, KY frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 18, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Stearns, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 Stearns 2s, KY weather station, 5 km away (elevation 1,220 ft (372 m)).
Frost dates near Stearns
- Whitley City Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Marshes Siding Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Revelo Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Pine Knot Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Strunk Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Parkers Lake Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Burnside Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Tateville Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Bronston Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Monticello Apr 18 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Stearns, KY?
The median last spring frost in Stearns, KY is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Stearns, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Stearns, KY?
About 177 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Stearns, KY?
Stearns, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.