Frost Dates for Elizabethtown, KY

In Elizabethtown, KY, the average last spring frost is around Apr 16 and the average first fall frost around Oct 25, for a growing season of about 191 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 4, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 1650% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 4only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 2550% chance of frost before this date
Growing season191 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Elizabethtown Wp Cs, KY weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 690 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%May 4Oct 13
20%Apr 27Oct 18
30%Apr 22Oct 21
40%Apr 19Oct 23
50%Apr 16Oct 25
60%Apr 12Oct 27
70%Apr 9Oct 29
80%Apr 5Oct 31
90%Mar 31Nov 3

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 27Oct 16
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 16Oct 25
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 1Nov 3

Planting calendar for Elizabethtown

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers
Indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Basil
Indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26
Sow or transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26
Sow or transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 23 – May 7
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26
Sow or transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Green beans
Sow Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 23 – May 7
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19
Sow or transplant Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall sowing Aug 30 – Sep 27
Spinach
Sow Mar 5 – Mar 26
Fall sowing Aug 30 – Sep 20
Peas
Sow Mar 5 – Mar 19
Fall sowing Aug 16 – Aug 30
Kale
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Sow or transplant Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall sowing Aug 16 – Sep 13
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Fall sowing Aug 2 – Aug 16
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall sowing Aug 2 – Aug 16
Carrots
Sow Mar 26 – Apr 16
Fall sowing Aug 2 – Aug 16
Radishes
Sow Mar 12 – Apr 2
Fall sowing Sep 13 – Oct 4
Beets
Sow Mar 26 – Apr 16
Fall sowing Aug 16 – Aug 30
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
Plant Mar 19 – Apr 2
Potatoes
Plant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Garlic
Plant Oct 25 – Nov 22

Based on the average last frost (Apr 16) and first frost (Oct 25). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

Louisville/Jefferson County metro governmentJeffersontownBowling GreenFrankfortOwensboroNicholasvilleLexington-FayetteGeorgetownAll Kentucky towns