Frost dates for 41721Buckhorn, KY
The average last spring frost in Buckhorn is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 17 · Apr 29 · May 12 | Oct 5 · Oct 16 · Oct 29 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 19 · May 2 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 9 · Apr 22 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Buckhorn
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 41721 is matched to the NOAA station Buckhorn Lake, KY, 5 km away, at 780 ft elevation (188 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckhorn Lake, KY (used) | 780 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 25 |
| Oneida, KY | 760 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
| Booneville 12Sw, KY | 880 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 19 |
| Quicksand, KY | 745 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Buckhorn
- Gays Creek, KY 41745 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Mistletoe, KY 41351 · last Apr 24, first Oct 19
- Sizerock, KY 41762 · last Apr 24, first Oct 19
- Saul, KY 40981 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Bear Branch, KY 41714 · last Apr 15, first Oct 30
- Chavies, KY 41727 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Thousandsticks, KY 41766 · last Apr 24, first Oct 19
- Oneida, KY 40972 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Buckhorn, KY?
- For ZIP code 41721, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Buckhorn Lake, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Buckhorn, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 41721?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.