Frost dates for 42220Elkton, KY
The average last spring frost in Elkton is April 3 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 207 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 207 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 151 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 1 · Apr 15 · May 2 | Oct 8 · Oct 19 · Oct 30 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 3 · Apr 21 | Oct 17 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 207 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 25 · Apr 9 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 26 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elkton
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42220 is matched to the NOAA station Elkton, KY, 11.4 km away, at 619 ft elevation (80 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elkton, KY (used) | 619 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 29 |
| Russellville, KY | 570 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
| Hopkinsville, KY | 520 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Clarksville Outlaw Ap, TN | 560 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Elkton
- Sharon Grove, KY 42280 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Clifty, KY 42216 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Fairview, KY 42221 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Lewisburg, KY 42256 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Trenton, KY 42286 · last Apr 6, first Oct 28
- Guthrie, KY 42234 · last Apr 3, first Oct 29
- Pembroke, KY 42266 · last Apr 6, first Oct 28
- Allensville, KY 42204 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elkton, KY?
- For ZIP code 42220, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elkton, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Elkton, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42220?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 207 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.