Frost dates for 41421Elkfork, KY
The average last spring frost in Elkfork is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (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 21 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 25 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 29 · May 16 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Oct 31 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 17 · May 7 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elkfork
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 41421 is matched to the NOAA station W Liberty 3Nw, KY, 16.3 km away, at 780 ft elevation (119 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Liberty 3Nw, KY (used) | 780 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
| Salyersville Wtr Wks, KY | 970 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 21 |
| Gimlet 9N, KY | 1,120 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 31 |
| Charley 2 Sw, KY | 740 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Elkfork
- Crockett, KY 41413 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Isonville, KY 41149 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Wrigley, KY 41477 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- West Liberty, KY 41472 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Keaton, KY 41226 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Mazie, KY 41160 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Martha, KY 41159 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Malone, KY 41451 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elkfork, KY?
- For ZIP code 41421, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the W Liberty 3Nw, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Elkfork, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 41421?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.