Frost dates for 40010Buckner, KY
The average last spring frost in Buckner is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 160 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · May 1 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Mar 31 · Apr 17 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Buckner
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40010 is matched to the NOAA station Crestwood 4Ne, KY, 3 km away, at 780 ft elevation (1 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crestwood 4Ne, KY (used) | 780 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
| Louisville Bowman Fld, KY | 540 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
| Shelbyville 1 E, KY | 730 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Louisville Mcalpine, KY | 440 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Buckner
- La Grange, KY 40032 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Crestwood, KY 40014 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Pewee Valley, KY 40056 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Goshen, KY 40026 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Louisville, KY 40245 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Westport, KY 40077 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Prospect, KY 40059 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Eastwood, KY 40018 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Buckner, KY?
- For ZIP code 40010, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Crestwood 4Ne, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Buckner, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40010?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.