Frost dates for 41053Kenton, KY
The average last spring frost in Kenton is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 164 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 14 · Apr 28 · May 14 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 16 · May 4 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 3 · Apr 20 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 24 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kenton
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 41053 is matched to the NOAA station Chilo Meldahl Locks & Dam, OH, 25.8 km away, at 480 ft elevation (52 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilo Meldahl Locks & Dam, OH (used) | 480 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 31 |
| Cincinnati Lunken Ap, OH | 490 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
| Williamstown, KY | 969 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 29 |
| Cincinnati Northern Ky Ap, KY | 869 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Kenton
- Morning View, KY 41063 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Alexandria, KY 41001 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Covington, KY 41012 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Independence, KY 41051 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- De Mossville, KY 41033 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Butler, KY 41006 · last Apr 16, first Oct 31
- California, KY 41007 · last Apr 16, first Oct 31
- Newport, KY 41072 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kenton, KY?
- For ZIP code 41053, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chilo Meldahl Locks & Dam, OH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Kenton, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. 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 41053?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.