Frost dates for 42002Paducah, KY
The average last spring frost in Paducah is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 154 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 1 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 6 · Oct 18 · Oct 29 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 24 · Apr 9 | Oct 27 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Paducah
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42002 is matched to the NOAA station Paducah, KY, 5.6 km away, at 392 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paducah, KY (used) | 392 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 28 |
| W Paducah 2W, KY | 413 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 27 |
| Brookport Dam 52, IL | 330 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 27 |
| Smithland L&D, IL | 357 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Paducah
- West Paducah, KY 42086 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Paducah, KY 42001 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Metropolis, IL 62960 · last Apr 6, first Oct 27
- Kevil, KY 42053 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Lovelaceville, KY 42060 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Brookport, IL 62910 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Joppa, IL 62953 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Melber, KY 42069 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Paducah, KY?
- For ZIP code 42002, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Paducah, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Paducah, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42002?
- 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.