Frost dates for 41653Prestonsburg, KY
The average last spring frost in Prestonsburg is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 18 · May 4 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 10 | Oct 8 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 9 · Apr 27 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Prestonsburg
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 41653 is matched to the NOAA station Prestonsburg 3Wsw, KY, 5.8 km away, at 760 ft elevation (25 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prestonsburg 3Wsw, KY (used) | 760 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| Paintsville 1E, KY | 630 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 25 |
| Salyersville Wtr Wks, KY | 970 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 21 |
| Inez 2 E, KY | 710 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Prestonsburg
- Dwale, KY 41621 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Allen, KY 41601 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Blue River, KY 41607 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Auxier, KY 41602 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Martin, KY 41649 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Van Lear, KY 41265 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- East Point, KY 41216 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Banner, KY 41603 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Prestonsburg, KY?
- For ZIP code 41653, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Prestonsburg 3Wsw, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Prestonsburg, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 41653?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 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.