Frost Dates for Bowling Green, KY

In Bowling Green, KY, the average last spring frost is around Apr 5 and the average first fall frost around Oct 31, for a growing season of about 208 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 21, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 550% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 21only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 3150% chance of frost before this date
Growing season208 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Bowling Green Warren Co Airport, KY weather station, under 1 mile away, elevation 523 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 21Oct 20
20%Apr 15Oct 23
30%Apr 11Oct 26
40%Apr 8Oct 29
50%Apr 5Oct 31
60%Apr 2Nov 1
70%Mar 31Nov 4
80%Mar 26Nov 7
90%Mar 20Nov 11

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 16Oct 22
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 5Oct 31
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 24Nov 10

Planting calendar for Bowling Green

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Peppers
Indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8
Transplant Apr 19 – May 3
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8
Transplant Apr 19 – May 3
Basil
Indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 15
Sow or transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 15
Sow or transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 12 – Apr 26
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 15
Sow or transplant Apr 19 – May 3
Green beans
Sow Apr 12 – Apr 26
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 12 – Apr 26
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8
Sow or transplant Mar 8 – Mar 22
Fall sowing Sep 5 – Oct 3
Spinach
Sow Feb 22 – Mar 15
Fall sowing Sep 5 – Sep 26
Peas
Sow Feb 22 – Mar 8
Fall sowing Aug 22 – Sep 5
Kale
Indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22
Sow or transplant Mar 8 – Mar 22
Fall sowing Aug 22 – Sep 19
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Mar 22 – Apr 5
Fall sowing Aug 8 – Aug 22
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Mar 15 – Mar 29
Fall sowing Aug 8 – Aug 22
Carrots
Sow Mar 15 – Apr 5
Fall sowing Aug 8 – Aug 22
Radishes
Sow Mar 1 – Mar 22
Fall sowing Sep 19 – Oct 10
Beets
Sow Mar 15 – Apr 5
Fall sowing Aug 22 – Sep 5
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 11 – Jan 25
Plant Mar 8 – Mar 22
Potatoes
Plant Mar 15 – Mar 29
Garlic
Plant Oct 31 – Nov 28

Based on the average last frost (Apr 5) and first frost (Oct 31). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

HopkinsvilleElizabethtownOwensboroHendersonLouisville/Jefferson County metro governmentJeffersontownFrankfortNicholasvilleAll Kentucky towns