Frost dates for 42029Calvert City, KY
The average last spring frost in Calvert City is April 3 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 207 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 207 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 151 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) | Mar 31 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 9 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 188 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 3 · Apr 21 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 207 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 23 · Apr 9 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 25 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Calvert City
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42029 is matched to the NOAA station Smithland L&D, IL, 17.2 km away, at 357 ft elevation (24 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smithland L&D, IL (used) | 357 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 30 |
| Benton, KY | 365 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 19 |
| Brookport Dam 52, IL | 330 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 27 |
| Eddyville 5S, KY | 523 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Calvert City
- Ledbetter, KY 42058 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Gilbertsville, KY 42044 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Grand Rivers, KY 42045 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Benton, KY 42025 · last Apr 9, first Oct 19
- Tiline, KY 42083 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Symsonia, KY 42082 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Paducah, KY 42003 · last Apr 6, first Oct 27
- Brookport, IL 62910 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Calvert City, KY?
- For ZIP code 42029, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Smithland L&D, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Calvert City, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42029?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 207 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.