Last frost date in Frankfort, KY

Average last frost

April 15

The average last frost in Frankfort is April 15. By May 5 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 24, which leaves 192 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 13 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk): May 5
Average first frost: Oct 24
Frost-free season: 192 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends: Apr 3

Next 7 nights in Frankfort

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

ThuOct 2237°
FriOct 2338°
SatOct 2440°
SunOct 2541°
MonOct 2643°
TueOct 2746°
WedOct 2843°

Frost risk through the year at Frankfort Capital City Airport, 2.2 miles from Frankfort.

Planting calendar for Frankfort

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Kentucky.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

Warm-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

TomatoesApr 22–May 6

PumpkinsApr 29–May 13

SunflowersApr 15–May 6

CucumbersApr 29–May 6

CornApr 22–May 6

Sweet potatoesMay 6–May 20

WatermelonApr 29–May 13

Green beansApr 22–May 13

ZucchiniApr 22–May 6

OkraMay 6–May 20

PeppersApr 29–May 13

BasilApr 22–May 6

Butternut squashApr 22–May 6

CantaloupeApr 29–May 13

EggplantApr 29–May 13

Cool-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PotatoesMar 18–Apr 1

OnionsMar 4–Mar 25

CarrotsMar 25–Apr 29

LettuceApr 1–Apr 22

BroccoliMar 18–Apr 1

BeetsMar 18–Apr 29

PeasMar 4–Mar 18

CabbageMar 18–Apr 1

RadishesMar 11–Apr 22

Brussels sproutsApr 1–Apr 15

SpinachMar 4–Mar 25

CilantroApr 1–Apr 22

KaleMar 18–Apr 1

Collard greensMar 18–Apr 1

TurnipsMar 18–Apr 1

DillApr 15–Apr 29

CeleryApr 22–Apr 29

CauliflowerApr 1–Apr 15

LeeksApr 1–Apr 15

Swiss chardApr 1–Apr 29

ParsleyApr 1–Apr 22

Fall bulbs and garlic

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Tulip bulbsOct 10–Nov 14

GarlicOct 3–Nov 7

Daffodil bulbsSep 26–Nov 7

Perennials

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

StrawberriesMar 18–Apr 1

AsparagusMar 18–Apr 1

Frost probabilities

Threshold	Spring, 90% chance later	Spring, 50%	Spring, 10%	Fall, 10% chance earlier	Fall, 50%	Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°F	Mar 31	Apr 15	May 5	Oct 13	Oct 24	Nov 5
Hard freeze, 28°F	Mar 16	Apr 3	Apr 22	Oct 23	Nov 4	Nov 17

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Frankfort Capital City Airport (USW00053841) sits 2.2 miles from the center of Frankfort at 804 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Frankfort, KY?

The average last frost date in Frankfort is April 15, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 5.

When is the first frost in Frankfort?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 24. One year in ten it arrives before October 13.

How long is the growing season in Frankfort?

About 192 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Frankfort?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 22 to May 6. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Kentucky

All 19 cities in Kentucky