Frost dates for 42134Franklin, KY
The average last spring frost in Franklin is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 210 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 210 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (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 2 | Oct 12 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 188 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 5 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 210 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 26 · Apr 9 | Oct 31 · Nov 11 · Nov 29 | 231 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Franklin
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 12 |
| 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 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| 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 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42134 is matched to the NOAA station Portland Sewage Plt, TN, 15.8 km away, at 794 ft elevation (75 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Sewage Plt, TN (used) | 794 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Bowling Green Warren Co Ap, KY | 523 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
| Scottsville, KY | 743 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
| White House, TN | 820 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Franklin
- Franklin, KY 42135 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Mitchellville, TN 37119 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Woodburn, KY 42170 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Orlinda, TN 37141 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Portland, TN 37148 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Cross Plains, TN 37049 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Auburn, KY 42206 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Rockfield, KY 42274 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Franklin, KY?
- For ZIP code 42134, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Portland Sewage Plt, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Franklin, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42134?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 210 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.