Frost dates for 40827Essie, KY
The average last spring frost in Essie is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 197 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 197 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (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 13 · Apr 26 · May 11 | Oct 8 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 10 | 197 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Essie
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 10 |
| 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 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 10 |
| 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 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40827 is matched to the NOAA station Baxter, KY, 24.5 km away, at 1,164 ft elevation (640 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter, KY (used) | 1,164 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 30 |
| Oneida, KY | 760 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
| Buckhorn Lake, KY | 780 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 25 |
| Manchester 4 W, KY | 870 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Essie
- Asher, KY 40803 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Hoskinston, KY 40844 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Roark, KY 40979 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Mozelle, KY 40858 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Stinnett, KY 40868 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Warbranch, KY 40874 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Wendover, KY 41775 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Chappell, KY 40816 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Essie, KY?
- For ZIP code 40827, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Baxter, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Essie, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40827?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 197 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.