When is the last frost in Lexington, KY?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Lexington is April 13, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until May 1.

When is the first frost in Lexington?

The average first fall frost in Lexington is October 28, with a growing season of about 196 days.

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Lexington, Kentucky frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 13. Average first fall frost: October 28. That gives a growing season of about 196 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is May 1, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 13

1-in-10 risk after May 1

First frost (50%)

Oct 28

1-in-10 risk before Oct 16

Growing season

196 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Mar 31

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	March 30	November 8
70%	April 6	November 1
50%	April 13	October 28
30%	April 20	October 23
10%	May 1	October 16

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after May 1. These are NOAA probabilities for the Lexington Bluegrass Airport weather station (USW00093820, elevation 299 m), 1991–2020.

Lexington vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 13). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (May 1) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 23	Apr 20 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 2	Mar 16
Brussels sprouts	Feb 2	Mar 16
Cabbage	Jan 26	Mar 9
Cauliflower	Feb 16	Mar 30
Sweet corn	Mar 16	Apr 13 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Mar 30	Apr 20
Kale	Jan 26	Mar 9
Leeks	Dec 29	Mar 9
Lettuce	Feb 23	Mar 30
Melons	Apr 6	Apr 27
Onions	Dec 22	Mar 2 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 16	Mar 16 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 2	Apr 27
Squash	Apr 6	Apr 27
Tomatoes	Feb 16	Apr 13

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 28. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 16. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 6.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Louisville, KY	Mar 31	Nov 7	~100 km
Cincinnati, OH	Apr 18	Oct 25	~111 km
Dayton, OH	Apr 16	Oct 28	~210 km
Indianapolis, IN	Apr 15	Oct 26	~236 km
Knoxville, TN	Apr 1	Nov 2	~253 km
Evansville, IN	Apr 4	Oct 29	~255 km

More: all Kentucky frost dates