Frost dates for 40115Custer, KY
The average last spring frost in Custer is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 20 · May 3 · May 21 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 12 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Oct 27 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · Apr 28 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Custer
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40115 is matched to the NOAA station Corners, KY, 6.4 km away, at 615 ft elevation (192 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corners, KY (used) | 615 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 16 |
| Mcdaniels, KY | 425 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Leitchfield 2 N, KY | 620 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 15 |
| Brandenburg, KY | 615 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Custer
- Hudson, KY 40145 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Garfield, KY 40140 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Irvington, KY 40146 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Harned, KY 40144 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Mc Quady, KY 40153 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Cecilia, KY 42724 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Westview, KY 40178 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Guston, KY 40142 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Custer, KY?
- For ZIP code 40115, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Corners, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Custer, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40115?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.