Frost dates for 42347Hartford, KY
The average last spring frost in Hartford is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 23 · May 9 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 24 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 10 · Apr 29 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 18 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hartford
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 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42347 is matched to the NOAA station Beaver Dam, KY, 2.9 km away, at 400 ft elevation (7 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam, KY (used) | 400 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 22 |
| Rochester Ferry, KY | 390 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 20 |
| Calhoun Lock 2, KY | 402 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 1 |
| Rough Rvr Lake, KY | 560 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Hartford
- Beaver Dam, KY 42320 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Centertown, KY 42328 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Mc Henry, KY 42354 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Dundee, KY 42338 · last Apr 10, first Oct 22
- Rockport, KY 42369 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Rosine, KY 42370 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Livermore, KY 42352 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Cromwell, KY 42333 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hartford, KY?
- For ZIP code 42347, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Beaver Dam, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Hartford, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42347?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.