Frost dates for 42419Henderson, KY
The average last spring frost in Henderson is April 4 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 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 207 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 154 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 2 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Oct 30 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 17 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 207 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 26 · Apr 10 | Oct 28 · Nov 8 · Nov 27 | 227 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Henderson
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42419 is matched to the NOAA station Henderson 8 Ssw, KY, 7 km away, at 449 ft elevation (69 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson 8 Ssw, KY (used) | 449 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 29 |
| Henderson State Police, KY | 420 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 26 |
| Evansville Museum, IN | 374 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 10 |
| Newburgh L&D, IN | 380 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Henderson
- Henderson, KY 42420 · last Apr 4, first Oct 29
- Corydon, KY 42406 · last Apr 4, first Oct 29
- Baskett, KY 42402 · last Mar 29, first Nov 10
- Evansville, IN 47712 · last Mar 29, first Nov 10
- Spottsville, KY 42458 · last Mar 29, first Nov 10
- Robards, KY 42452 · last Apr 4, first Oct 29
- Smith Mills, KY 42457 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Poole, KY 42444 · last Apr 4, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Henderson, KY?
- For ZIP code 42419, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Henderson 8 Ssw, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Henderson, 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 42419?
- 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.