Frost dates for 40475 — Richmond, KY
Last spring frostApr 15median date
First fall frostOct 22median date
Growing season190 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Richmond compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Richmond falls between March 31 and April 30, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 190-day growing season is longer than 44% 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 102 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lexington, KY, 35 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 22 |
| 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 Richmond, KY
Frost dates for 40475 — Richmond, KY — last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 22, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 20
Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Richmond, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 18 – Apr 22 | Aug 27 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Basil | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 8 – Nov 12 |
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 Eastern Kentucky Univ, KY weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,001 ft (305 m)).
ZIP codes in Richmond: 40475 40476
Frost dates near Richmond
- Waco Apr 20 · Oct 19
- Paint Lick Apr 5 · Nov 2
- Berea Apr 5 · Nov 2
- Bighill Apr 5 · Nov 2
- Nicholasville Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Winchester Apr 20 · Oct 19
- Irvine Apr 20 · Oct 19
- Lancaster Apr 9 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Richmond, KY?
The median last spring frost in Richmond, KY is April 15. 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 Richmond, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Richmond, KY?
About 190 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Richmond, KY?
Richmond, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.