Frost dates for 40769Williamsburg, KY
The average last spring frost in Williamsburg is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 18 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 26 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Williamsburg
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40769 is matched to the NOAA station Williamsburg, KY, 1.8 km away, at 940 ft elevation (97 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsburg, KY (used) | 940 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| Newcomb, TN | 1,014 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Barbourville, KY | 990 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
| Stearns 2S, KY | 1,220 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Williamsburg
- Emlyn, KY 40730 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Rockholds, KY 40759 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Woodbine, KY 40771 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Siler, KY 40763 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Jellico, TN 37762 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Corbin, KY 40701 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Bryants Store, KY 40921 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Newcomb, TN 37819 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Williamsburg, KY?
- For ZIP code 40769, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Williamsburg, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Williamsburg, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. 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 40769?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.