Frost dates for 40603Frankfort, KY
The average last spring frost in Frankfort is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (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 26 · May 13 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Oct 26 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 5 | Oct 13 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 3 · Apr 22 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Frankfort
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 4 |
| 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 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 4 |
| 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 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40603 is matched to the NOAA station Frankfort Capital City Ap, KY, 6 km away, at 804 ft elevation (79 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfort Capital City Ap, KY (used) | 804 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| Versailles 3 Nnw, KY | 891 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 28 |
| Shelbyville 1 E, KY | 730 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Lexington Bluegrass Ap, KY | 980 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Frankfort
- Frankfort, KY 40602 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Bagdad, KY 40003 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Stamping Ground, KY 40379 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Midway, KY 40347 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Lockport, KY 40036 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Versailles, KY 40384 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Lawrenceburg, KY 40342 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Pleasureville, KY 40057 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Frankfort, KY?
- For ZIP code 40603, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Frankfort Capital City Ap, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Frankfort, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40603?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.