Frost dates for 40357North Middletown, KY
The average last spring frost in North Middletown is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 21 · May 5 · May 21 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 12 | Oct 6 · Oct 18 · Oct 29 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Middletown
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40357 is matched to the NOAA station Mt Sterling, KY, 18.1 km away, at 960 ft elevation (48 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Sterling, KY (used) | 960 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Cynthiana, KY | 700 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 23 |
| Cressy, KY | 720 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 19 |
| Stanton 2W, KY | 720 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near North Middletown
- Paris, KY 40361 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Millersburg, KY 40348 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Mount Sterling, KY 40353 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Winchester, KY 40392 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Sharpsburg, KY 40374 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Carlisle, KY 40311 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Lexington, KY 40516 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Moorefield, KY 40350 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Middletown, KY?
- For ZIP code 40357, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mt Sterling, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in North Middletown, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40357?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.