Frost dates for 42633Monticello, KY
The average last spring frost in Monticello is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 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 14 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Oct 30 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 18 · May 5 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 4 · Apr 23 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Monticello
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 42633 is matched to the NOAA station Monticello 3 Ne, KY, 0.2 km away, at 979 ft elevation (45 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monticello 3 Ne, KY (used) | 979 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| Jamestown Wwtp, KY | 890 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Somerset 2 N, KY | 1,020 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 30 |
| Pickett Sp, TN | 1,625 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Monticello
- Bronston, KY 42518 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- Alpha, KY 42603 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- Tateville, KY 42558 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Nancy, KY 42544 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Jamestown, KY 42629 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Burnside, KY 42519 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Russell Springs, KY 42642 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Ferguson, KY 42533 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Monticello, KY?
- For ZIP code 42633, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Monticello 3 Ne, KY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Monticello, KY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 42633?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.