Frost dates for 40475Richmond, KY
The average last spring frost in Richmond is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 12 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 3 · Oct 14 · Oct 25 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 10 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 18 | 211 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richmond
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40475 is matched to the NOAA station Eastern Kentucky Univ, KY, 3.4 km away, at 1,000 ft elevation (52 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Kentucky Univ, KY (used) | 1,000 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Berea College, KY | 1,070 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 2 |
| Cressy, KY | 720 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 19 |
| Crab Orchard 6 N, KY | 1,025 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Richmond
- Richmond, KY 40476 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Waco, KY 40385 · last Apr 20, first Oct 19
- Berea, KY 40403 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Paint Lick, KY 40461 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Bighill, KY 40405 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Nicholasville, KY 40356 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Winchester, KY 40391 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Lexington, KY 40515 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richmond, KY?
- For ZIP code 40475, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eastern Kentucky Univ, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Richmond, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40475?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.