Frost dates for 40941Garrard, KY
The average last spring frost in Garrard is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 22 · May 6 · May 20 | Sep 27 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 29 · May 13 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Oct 27 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 17 · May 4 | Oct 12 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 190 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Garrard
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40941 is matched to the NOAA station Manchester 4 W, KY, 6.9 km away, at 870 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester 4 W, KY (used) | 870 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
| Oneida, KY | 760 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
| Booneville 12Sw, KY | 880 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 19 |
| Barbourville, KY | 990 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Garrard
- Hima, KY 40951 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Manchester, KY 40962 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Goose Rock, KY 40944 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Fall Rock, KY 40932 · last Apr 24, first Oct 19
- Bush, KY 40724 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Big Creek, KY 40914 · last Apr 24, first Oct 19
- Oneida, KY 40972 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Girdler, KY 40943 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Garrard, KY?
- For ZIP code 40941, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Manchester 4 W, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Garrard, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40941?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.