Frost dates for 40383Versailles, KY
The average last spring frost in Versailles is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (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 25 · May 11 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 12 · May 2 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 19 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 219 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Versailles
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 8 |
| 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 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 8 |
| 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 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40383 is matched to the NOAA station Versailles 3 Nnw, KY, 6.1 km away, at 891 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Versailles 3 Nnw, KY (used) | 891 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 28 |
| Lexington Bluegrass Ap, KY | 980 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
| Frankfort Capital City Ap, KY | 804 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| Dix Dam, KY | 870 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Versailles
- Versailles, KY 40384 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Midway, KY 40347 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Lexington, KY 40510 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Keene, KY 40339 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Lawrenceburg, KY 40342 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Salvisa, KY 40372 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Wilmore, KY 40390 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Frankfort, KY 40621 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Versailles, KY?
- For ZIP code 40383, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Versailles 3 Nnw, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Versailles, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40383?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.