Frost dates for 42503Somerset, KY
The average last spring frost in Somerset is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 153 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 19 · May 7 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 184 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 5 · Apr 25 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 25 · Apr 12 | Oct 28 · Nov 9 · Nov 29 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Somerset
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42503 is matched to the NOAA station Somerset 2 N, KY, 9.3 km away, at 1,020 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset 2 N, KY (used) | 1,020 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 30 |
| Mt Vernon, KY | 1,160 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Crab Orchard 6 N, KY | 1,025 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| London Corbin Ap, KY | 1,188 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Somerset
- Somerset, KY 42501 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- West Somerset, KY 42564 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Science Hill, KY 42553 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Ferguson, KY 42533 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Eubank, KY 42567 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Nancy, KY 42544 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Bethelridge, KY 42516 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Tateville, KY 42558 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Somerset, KY?
- For ZIP code 42503, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Somerset 2 N, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Somerset, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. 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 42503?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 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.