Frost dates for 42134 — Franklin, KY
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season210 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Franklin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Franklin falls between March 21 and April 19, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 14.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 210-day growing season is longer than 89% 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 80 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bowling Green, KY, 29 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 21 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 14 |
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 Franklin, KY
Frost dates for 42134 — Franklin, KY — last frost Apr 5, first frost Nov 1, 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 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
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 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
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 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Franklin, 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 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| 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 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| 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 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Portland Sewage Plt, TN weather station, 16 km away (elevation 794 ft (242 m)).
ZIP codes in Franklin: 42134 42135
Frost dates near Franklin
- Woodburn Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Auburn Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Rockfield Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Alvaton Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Adairville Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Adolphus Apr 15 · Oct 25
- Bowling Green Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Russellville Apr 9 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Franklin, KY?
The median last spring frost in Franklin, KY is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Franklin, KY?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Franklin, KY?
About 210 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Franklin, KY?
Franklin, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.