Frost dates for 42048Hardin, KY
The average last spring frost in Hardin is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 26 · Apr 11 · Apr 28 | Oct 15 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 30 · Apr 16 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 21 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 16 · Apr 6 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 4 | 246 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hardin
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 | Feb 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42048 is matched to the NOAA station Kenlake Resort, KY, 11.2 km away, at 484 ft elevation (8 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenlake Resort, KY (used) | 484 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 4 |
| Benton, KY | 365 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 19 |
| Murray, KY | 527 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Eddyville 5S, KY | 523 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Hardin
- Dexter, KY 42036 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Almo, KY 42020 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Benton, KY 42025 · last Apr 9, first Oct 19
- Kirksey, KY 42054 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Murray, KY 42071 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Gilbertsville, KY 42044 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Symsonia, KY 42082 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Hazel, KY 42049 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hardin, KY?
- For ZIP code 42048, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kenlake Resort, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Hardin, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42048?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 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.