Frost dates for 42142Glasgow, KY
The average last spring frost in Glasgow is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 159 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 8 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 9 · Apr 28 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 11 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 28 · Apr 13 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 25 | 225 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Glasgow
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42142 is matched to the NOAA station Glasgow, KY, 0.7 km away, at 770 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glasgow, KY (used) | 770 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 27 |
| Knob Lick 4S, KY | 1,020 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 2 |
| Barren Rvr Lake, KY | 615 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 29 |
| Summer Shade, KY | 864 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Glasgow
- Glasgow, KY 42141 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Cave City, KY 42127 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Hiseville, KY 42152 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Eighty Eight, KY 42130 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Park City, KY 42160 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Knob Lick, KY 42154 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Etoile, KY 42131 · last Apr 12, first Oct 29
- Lucas, KY 42156 · last Apr 12, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Glasgow, KY?
- For ZIP code 42142, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Glasgow, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Glasgow, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42142?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.