Frost dates for 42304Owensboro, KY
The average last spring frost in Owensboro is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 211 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 211 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 150 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) | Mar 28 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 191 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 2 · Apr 20 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 211 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 23 · Apr 10 | Oct 29 · Nov 10 · Nov 30 | 235 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Owensboro
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 2 – May 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42304 is matched to the NOAA station Calhoun Lock 2, KY, 27.4 km away, at 402 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun Lock 2, KY (used) | 402 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 1 |
| Newburgh L&D, IN | 380 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 2 |
| Boonville 1S, IN | 400 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
| Beaver Dam, KY | 400 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Owensboro
- Owensboro, KY 42302 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Utica, KY 42376 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Maceo, KY 42355 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Philpot, KY 42366 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Rockport, IN 47635 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- West Louisville, KY 42377 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Curdsville, KY 42334 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Maple Mount, KY 42356 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Owensboro, KY?
- For ZIP code 42304, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Calhoun Lock 2, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Owensboro, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42304?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 211 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.