Frost dates for 42101 — Bowling Green, KY
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season209 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Bowling Green compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bowling Green falls between March 20 and April 21, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 209-day growing season is longer than 86% of the 785 Kentucky places with a regular frost season (state median 192 days).
- The last frost is 11 days earlier 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 82 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Clarksville, TN, 97 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 3 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 20 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 Bowling Green, KY
Frost dates for 42101 — Bowling Green, KY — last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 31, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bowling Green, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Bowling Green Warren Co Ap, KY weather station, 6 km away (elevation 522 ft (159 m)).
ZIP codes in Bowling Green: 42101 42102 42103 42104
Frost dates near Bowling Green
- Drake Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Rockfield Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Oakland Apr 12 · Oct 29
- Alvaton Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Woodburn Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Smiths Grove Apr 9 · Oct 30
- Woodbury Apr 15 · Oct 20
- Jetson Apr 22 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bowling Green, KY?
The median last spring frost in Bowling Green, KY is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bowling Green, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Bowling Green, KY?
About 209 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bowling Green, KY?
Bowling Green, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.