Last frost date in Lexington-Fayette, KY

Average last frost
April 13

In Lexington-Fayette, the last spring frost comes around April 13 in an average year. Wait until May 1 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 28, which leaves 196 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 16 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 1
Average first frost
Oct 28
Frost-free season
196 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 31
Next 7 nights in Lexington-Fayette

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2242°
  2. FriOct 2341°
  3. SatOct 2443°
  4. SunOct 2544°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2749°
  7. WedOct 2846°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 13First frost Oct 28196 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND196 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Lexington Bluegrass Airport, 8.0 miles from Lexington-Fayette.

Planting calendar for Lexington-Fayette

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 20–May 4
PumpkinsApr 27–May 11
SunflowersApr 13–May 4
CucumbersApr 27–May 4
CornApr 20–May 4
Sweet potatoesMay 4–May 18
WatermelonApr 27–May 11
Green beansApr 20–May 11
ZucchiniApr 20–May 4
OkraMay 4–May 18
PeppersApr 27–May 11
BasilApr 20–May 4
Butternut squashApr 20–May 4
CantaloupeApr 27–May 11
EggplantApr 27–May 11
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 16–Mar 30
OnionsMar 2–Mar 23
CarrotsMar 23–Apr 27
LettuceMar 30–Apr 20
BroccoliMar 16–Mar 30
BeetsMar 16–Apr 27
PeasMar 2–Mar 16
CabbageMar 16–Mar 30
RadishesMar 9–Apr 20
Brussels sproutsMar 30–Apr 13
SpinachMar 2–Mar 23
CilantroMar 30–Apr 20
KaleMar 16–Mar 30
Collard greensMar 16–Mar 30
TurnipsMar 16–Mar 30
DillApr 13–Apr 27
CeleryApr 20–Apr 27
CauliflowerMar 30–Apr 13
LeeksMar 30–Apr 13
Swiss chardMar 30–Apr 27
ParsleyMar 30–Apr 20
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 14–Nov 18
GarlicOct 7–Nov 11
Daffodil bulbsSep 30–Nov 11
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 16–Mar 30
AsparagusMar 16–Mar 30

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 30Apr 13May 1Oct 16Oct 28Nov 8
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 15Mar 31Apr 16Oct 25Nov 6Nov 22

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 Lexington Bluegrass Airport (USW00093820) sits 8.0 miles from the center of Lexington-Fayette at 980 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?

The average last frost date in Lexington-Fayette is April 13, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 1.

When is the first frost in Lexington-Fayette?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 28. One year in ten it arrives before October 16.

How long is the growing season in Lexington-Fayette?

About 196 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lexington-Fayette?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 20 to May 4. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Kentucky

All 19 cities in Kentucky