Frost dates for 40578 — Lexington, KY
Last spring frostApr 13median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season198 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Lexington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lexington falls between March 30 and May 1, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 8.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 198-day growing season is longer than 63% 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 90 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Louisville, KY, 109 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 16 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 8 |
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 Lexington, KY
Frost dates for 40578 — Lexington, KY — last frost Apr 13, first frost Oct 28, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 18
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lexington, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 16 – Apr 20 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Basil | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 20 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 Lexington Bluegrass Ap, KY weather station, 12 km away (elevation 981 ft (299 m)).
ZIP codes in Lexington: 40502 40503 40504 40505 40506 40507 40508 40509 40510 40511 40512 40513 40514 40515 40516 40517 40522 40523 40524 40526 40533 40536 40544 40546 40550 40555 40574 40575 40576 40577 40578 40579 40580 40581 40582 40583 40588 40591 40598
Frost dates near Lexington
- Keene Apr 13 · Oct 28
- Nicholasville Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Georgetown Apr 13 · Oct 28
- Versailles Apr 12 · Oct 28
- Midway Apr 12 · Oct 28
- Wilmore Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Winchester Apr 20 · Oct 19
- Paris Apr 18 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lexington, KY?
The median last spring frost in Lexington, KY is April 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lexington, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Lexington, KY?
About 198 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lexington, KY?
Lexington, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.