Frost dates for 42102Bowling Green, KY
The average last spring frost in Bowling Green is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 153 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 2 · Apr 16 · May 4 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Oct 31 · Nov 11 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 24 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 10 · Nov 25 | 232 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bowling Green
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 11 |
| 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 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 11 |
| 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) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42102 is matched to the NOAA station Bowling Green Warren Co Ap, KY, 5.7 km away, at 523 ft elevation (67 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green Warren Co Ap, KY (used) | 523 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
| Barren Rvr Lake, KY | 615 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 29 |
| Scottsville, KY | 743 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
| Mammoth Cave, KY | 760 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Bowling Green
- Bowling Green, KY 42103 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Drake, KY 42128 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Alvaton, KY 42122 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Oakland, KY 42159 · last Apr 12, first Oct 29
- Woodburn, KY 42170 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Rockfield, KY 42274 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Smiths Grove, KY 42171 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Scottsville, KY 42164 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bowling Green, KY?
- For ZIP code 42102, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bowling Green Warren Co Ap, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Bowling Green, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42102?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.