Frost dates for 41526Fords Branch, KY
The average last spring frost in Fords Branch is April 8 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 156 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 8 · Apr 22 · May 8 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 184 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 8 · Apr 25 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 13 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 29 · Apr 12 | Oct 31 · Nov 10 · Nov 26 | 228 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fords Branch
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 8 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 1 – May 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 41526 is matched to the NOAA station Williamson, WV, 33.8 km away, at 760 ft elevation (68 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson, WV (used) | 760 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 2 |
| Breaks Interstate Park, VA | 1,893 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 23 |
| Clintwood 1W, VA | 1,566 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
| Prestonsburg 3Wsw, KY | 760 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Fords Branch
- Shelbiana, KY 41562 · last Apr 8, first Nov 2
- Pikeville, KY 41502 · last Apr 8, first Nov 2
- Robinson Creek, KY 41560 · last Apr 21, first Oct 26
- Raccoon, KY 41557 · last Apr 8, first Nov 2
- Teaberry, KY 41660 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Rockhouse, KY 41561 · last Apr 21, first Oct 26
- Regina, KY 41559 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Lookout, KY 41542 · last Apr 21, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fords Branch, KY?
- For ZIP code 41526, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Williamson, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Fords Branch, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 41526?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 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.