Frost dates for 40461Paint Lick, KY
The average last spring frost in Paint Lick is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 30 · May 17 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 18 · May 9 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 23 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Paint Lick
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 4 |
| 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 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 4 |
| 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 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40461 is matched to the NOAA station Crab Orchard 6 N, KY, 13.3 km away, at 1,025 ft elevation (192 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crab Orchard 6 N, KY (used) | 1,025 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Berea College, KY | 1,070 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 2 |
| Eastern Kentucky Univ, KY | 1,000 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Mt Vernon, KY | 1,160 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Paint Lick
- Berea, KY 40404 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Lancaster, KY 40444 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Crab Orchard, KY 40419 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Richmond, KY 40476 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Bighill, KY 40405 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Bryantsville, KY 40410 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Wildie, KY 40492 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Mount Vernon, KY 40456 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Paint Lick, KY?
- For ZIP code 40461, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Crab Orchard 6 N, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Paint Lick, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40461?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.