Frost dates for 40581Lexington, KY
The average last spring frost in Lexington is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 161 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 24 · May 11 | Oct 6 · Oct 19 · Oct 30 | 177 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 13 · May 1 | Oct 16 · Oct 28 · Nov 8 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 220 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lexington
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 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40581 is matched to the NOAA station Lexington Bluegrass Ap, KY, 11.8 km away, at 980 ft elevation (67 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Bluegrass Ap, KY (used) | 980 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
| Versailles 3 Nnw, KY | 891 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 28 |
| Eastern Kentucky Univ, KY | 1,000 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Dix Dam, KY | 870 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Lexington
- Lexington, KY 40512 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Keene, KY 40339 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Nicholasville, KY 40356 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Georgetown, KY 40324 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Versailles, KY 40383 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Midway, KY 40347 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Wilmore, KY 40390 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Winchester, KY 40392 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lexington, KY?
- For ZIP code 40581, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lexington Bluegrass Ap, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Lexington, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40581?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.