Frost dates for 42123Austin, KY
The average last spring frost in Austin is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 160 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 9 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 31 · Apr 17 | Oct 26 · Nov 6 · Nov 25 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Austin
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42123 is matched to the NOAA station Barren Rvr Lake, KY, 15.6 km away, at 615 ft elevation (146 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barren Rvr Lake, KY (used) | 615 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 29 |
| Glasgow, KY | 770 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 27 |
| Scottsville, KY | 743 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
| Summer Shade, KY | 864 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Austin
- Etoile, KY 42131 · last Apr 12, first Oct 29
- Lucas, KY 42156 · last Apr 12, first Oct 29
- Fountain Run, KY 42133 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Mount Hermon, KY 42157 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Holland, KY 42153 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Scottsville, KY 42164 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Glasgow, KY 42141 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Eighty Eight, KY 42130 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Austin, KY?
- For ZIP code 42123, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Barren Rvr Lake, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Austin, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42123?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.