Frost dates for 40033Lebanon, KY
The average last spring frost in Lebanon is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 180 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 180 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 19 · May 2 · May 19 | Sep 28 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 9 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 180 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 11 · Apr 30 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lebanon
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40033 is matched to the NOAA station Bradfordsville, KY, 12.8 km away, at 660 ft elevation (101 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradfordsville, KY (used) | 660 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 20 |
| Bardstown 5E, KY | 780 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 25 |
| Greensburg, KY | 585 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| Hodgenville Lincoln P, KY | 788 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Lebanon
- Saint Mary, KY 40063 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Saint Francis, KY 40062 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Raywick, KY 40060 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Loretto, KY 40037 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Nerinx, KY 40049 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Bradfordsville, KY 40009 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Gravel Switch, KY 40328 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Springfield, KY 40069 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lebanon, KY?
- For ZIP code 40033, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bradfordsville, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Lebanon, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40033?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 180 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.