Frost dates for 42087Wickliffe, KY
The average last spring frost in Wickliffe is April 6 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (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 4 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Oct 31 | 184 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 6 · Apr 22 | Oct 18 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 23 · Apr 11 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wickliffe
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42087 is matched to the NOAA station Bardwell 2 E, KY, 9.6 km away, at 410 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bardwell 2 E, KY (used) | 410 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 30 |
| Cairo 3N, IL | 313 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
| W Paducah 2W, KY | 413 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 27 |
| Paducah, KY | 392 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Wickliffe
- Barlow, KY 42024 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Bardwell, KY 42023 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- La Center, KY 42056 · last Apr 3, first Nov 5
- Cunningham, KY 42035 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- Cairo, IL 62914 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Lovelaceville, KY 42060 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Kevil, KY 42053 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Mound City, IL 62963 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wickliffe, KY?
- For ZIP code 42087, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bardwell 2 E, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Wickliffe, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42087?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.