Frost dates for 41230Louisa, KY
The average last spring frost in Louisa is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 200 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 200 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 160 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 12 · Apr 26 · May 13 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Oct 31 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 12 · May 2 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 10 | 200 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 31 · Apr 13 | Oct 29 · Nov 8 · Nov 24 | 223 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Louisa
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 41230 is matched to the NOAA station Huntington Swg Pl, WV, 33.7 km away, at 520 ft elevation (54 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington Swg Pl, WV (used) | 520 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 30 |
| Charley 2 Sw, KY | 740 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 17 |
| Dunlow 1 Sw, WV | 1,113 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
| Inez 2 E, KY | 710 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Louisa
- Fort Gay, WV 25514 · last Apr 14, first Oct 26
- Adams, KY 41201 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Prichard, WV 25555 · last Apr 12, first Oct 30
- Genoa, WV 25517 · last Apr 13, first Oct 26
- Webbville, KY 41180 · last Apr 14, first Oct 26
- Dunlow, WV 25511 · last Apr 13, first Oct 26
- Ulysses, KY 41264 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Wayne, WV 25570 · last Apr 14, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Louisa, KY?
- For ZIP code 41230, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Huntington Swg Pl, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Louisa, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 41230?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 200 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.