Frost dates for 42408Dawson Springs, KY
The average last spring frost in Dawson Springs is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (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 16 · Oct 27 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 11 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 30 · Apr 16 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dawson Springs
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42408 is matched to the NOAA station Princeton 1 Se, KY, 18.3 km away, at 497 ft elevation (57 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton 1 Se, KY (used) | 497 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 24 |
| Madisonville, KY | 425 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 1 |
| Providence, KY | 409 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 28 |
| Eddyville 5S, KY | 523 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Dawson Springs
- Saint Charles, KY 42453 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Earlington, KY 42410 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Princeton, KY 42445 · last Apr 11, first Oct 24
- Nebo, KY 42441 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Nortonville, KY 42442 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Mortons Gap, KY 42440 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Madisonville, KY 42431 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Providence, KY 42450 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dawson Springs, KY?
- For ZIP code 42408, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Princeton 1 Se, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Dawson Springs, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42408?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.