Frost dates for 40488Waneta, KY
The average last spring frost in Waneta is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 213 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 213 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 153 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 1 · Apr 18 · May 6 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 189 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 23 | Oct 19 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 213 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 24 · Apr 9 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waneta
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40488 is matched to the NOAA station Berea College, KY, 24.5 km away, at 1,070 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berea College, KY (used) | 1,070 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 2 |
| Heidelberg, KY | 665 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
| Booneville 12Sw, KY | 880 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 19 |
| Mt Vernon, KY | 1,160 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Waneta
- Sandgap, KY 40481 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Mc Kee, KY 40447 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Gray Hawk, KY 40434 · last Apr 24, first Oct 19
- Bighill, KY 40405 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Tyner, KY 40486 · last Apr 24, first Oct 19
- Annville, KY 40402 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Orlando, KY 40460 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Berea, KY 40403 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waneta, KY?
- For ZIP code 40488, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Berea College, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Waneta, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40488?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 213 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.