Frost dates for 42025Benton, KY
The average last spring frost in Benton is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 157 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 24 · May 11 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 9 · Apr 28 | Oct 6 · Oct 19 · Oct 29 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 14 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Benton
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42025 is matched to the NOAA station Benton, KY, 3 km away, at 365 ft elevation (11 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton, KY (used) | 365 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 19 |
| Kenlake Resort, KY | 484 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 4 |
| Murray, KY | 527 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Eddyville 5S, KY | 523 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Benton
- Gilbertsville, KY 42044 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Hardin, KY 42048 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Symsonia, KY 42082 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Calvert City, KY 42029 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Dexter, KY 42036 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Almo, KY 42020 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Ledbetter, KY 42058 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Grand Rivers, KY 42045 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Benton, KY?
- For ZIP code 42025, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Benton, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Benton, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42025?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.