Frost dates for 40166Shepherdsville, KY
The average last spring frost in Shepherdsville is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 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 13 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Oct 28 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 18 · May 6 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 4 · Apr 25 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shepherdsville
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40166 is matched to the NOAA station Bernheim Forest, KY, 9.6 km away, at 550 ft elevation (104 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bernheim Forest, KY (used) | 550 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
| Louisville Wfo, KY | 632 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Louisville Intl Ap, KY | 488 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 7 |
| Louisville Bowman Fld, KY | 540 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Shepherdsville
- Shepherdsville, KY 40165 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Clermont, KY 40110 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Brooks, KY 40109 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Hillview, KY 40129 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Louisville, KY 40229 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Fairdale, KY 40118 · last Mar 31, first Nov 7
- Mount Washington, KY 40047 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Lebanon Junction, KY 40150 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shepherdsville, KY?
- For ZIP code 40166, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bernheim Forest, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Shepherdsville, 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 40166?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.