Frost dates for 40997Walker, KY
The average last spring frost in Walker is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 17 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 6 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 3 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Walker
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 40997 is matched to the NOAA station Barbourville, KY, 19.6 km away, at 990 ft elevation (535 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbourville, KY (used) | 990 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
| Baxter, KY | 1,164 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 30 |
| Manchester 4 W, KY | 870 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
| Oneida, KY | 760 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Walker
- Scalf, KY 40982 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Dewitt, KY 40930 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Arjay, KY 40902 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Beverly, KY 40913 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Kettle Island, KY 40958 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Flat Lick, KY 40935 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Fourmile, KY 40939 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Stoney Fork, KY 40988 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Walker, KY?
- For ZIP code 40997, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Barbourville, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Walker, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 40997?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.