Last frost date in Independence, KY

Average last frost

April 18

In Independence, the last spring frost comes around April 18 in an average year. Wait until May 7 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 25, which leaves 188 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 12 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk): May 7
Average first frost: Oct 25
Frost-free season: 188 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends: Apr 5

Next 7 nights in Independence

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

ThuOct 2243°
FriOct 2342°
SatOct 2443°
SunOct 2544°
MonOct 2646°
TueOct 2748°
WedOct 2845°

Frost risk through the year at Cincinnati Northern Ky Airport, 8.9 miles from Independence.

Planting calendar for Independence

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 25–May 9

PumpkinsMay 2–May 16

SunflowersApr 18–May 9

CucumbersMay 2–May 9

CornApr 25–May 9

Sweet potatoesMay 9–May 23

WatermelonMay 2–May 16

Green beansApr 25–May 16

ZucchiniApr 25–May 9

OkraMay 9–May 23

PeppersMay 2–May 16

BasilApr 25–May 9

Butternut squashApr 25–May 9

CantaloupeMay 2–May 16

EggplantMay 2–May 16

Cool-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PotatoesMar 21–Apr 4

OnionsMar 7–Mar 28

CarrotsMar 28–May 2

LettuceApr 4–Apr 25

BroccoliMar 21–Apr 4

BeetsMar 21–May 2

PeasMar 7–Mar 21

CabbageMar 21–Apr 4

RadishesMar 14–Apr 25

Brussels sproutsApr 4–Apr 18

SpinachMar 7–Mar 28

CilantroApr 4–Apr 25

KaleMar 21–Apr 4

Collard greensMar 21–Apr 4

TurnipsMar 21–Apr 4

DillApr 18–May 2

CeleryApr 25–May 2

CauliflowerApr 4–Apr 18

LeeksApr 4–Apr 18

Swiss chardApr 4–May 2

ParsleyApr 4–Apr 25

Fall bulbs and garlic

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Tulip bulbsOct 11–Nov 15

GarlicOct 4–Nov 8

Daffodil bulbsSep 27–Nov 8

Perennials

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

StrawberriesMar 21–Apr 4

AsparagusMar 21–Apr 4

Frost probabilities

Threshold	Spring, 90% chance later	Spring, 50%	Spring, 10%	Fall, 10% chance earlier	Fall, 50%	Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°F	Apr 3	Apr 18	May 7	Oct 12	Oct 25	Nov 5
Hard freeze, 28°F	Mar 21	Apr 5	Apr 23	Oct 22	Nov 3	Nov 16

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 Cincinnati Northern Ky Airport (USW00093814) sits 8.9 miles from the center of Independence at 869 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 Independence, KY?

The average last frost date in Independence is April 18, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 7.

When is the first frost in Independence?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 25. One year in ten it arrives before October 12.

How long is the growing season in Independence?

About 188 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Independence?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 25 to May 9. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Kentucky

All 19 cities in Kentucky