Last frost date in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

Average last frost
April 6

Expect the last frost in Louisville/Jefferson County around April 6. Frost after April 23 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 1, which leaves 209 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 23
Average first frost
Nov 1
Frost-free season
209 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 26
Next 7 nights in Louisville/Jefferson County

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2345°
  3. SatOct 2445°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2750°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 6First frost Nov 1209 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND209 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Louisville Wfo, 3.5 miles from Louisville/Jefferson County.

Planting calendar for Louisville/Jefferson County

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 13–Apr 27
PumpkinsApr 20–May 4
SunflowersApr 6–Apr 27
CucumbersApr 20–Apr 27
CornApr 13–Apr 27
Sweet potatoesApr 27–May 11
WatermelonApr 20–May 4
Green beansApr 13–May 4
ZucchiniApr 13–Apr 27
OkraApr 27–May 11
PeppersApr 20–May 4
BasilApr 13–Apr 27
Butternut squashApr 13–Apr 27
CantaloupeApr 20–May 4
EggplantApr 20–May 4
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 9–Mar 23
OnionsFeb 23–Mar 16
CarrotsMar 16–Apr 20
LettuceMar 23–Apr 13
BroccoliMar 9–Mar 23
BeetsMar 9–Apr 20
PeasFeb 23–Mar 9
CabbageMar 9–Mar 23
RadishesMar 2–Apr 13
Brussels sproutsMar 23–Apr 6
SpinachFeb 23–Mar 16
CilantroMar 23–Apr 13
KaleMar 9–Mar 23
Collard greensMar 9–Mar 23
TurnipsMar 9–Mar 23
DillApr 6–Apr 20
CeleryApr 13–Apr 20
CauliflowerMar 23–Apr 6
LeeksMar 23–Apr 6
Swiss chardMar 23–Apr 20
ParsleyMar 23–Apr 13
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 18–Nov 22
GarlicOct 11–Nov 15
Daffodil bulbsOct 4–Nov 15
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 9–Mar 23
AsparagusMar 9–Mar 23

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 23Apr 6Apr 23Oct 21Nov 1Nov 15
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 9Mar 26Apr 9Nov 1Nov 11Nov 29

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 Louisville Wfo (USC00154958) sits 3.5 miles from the center of Louisville/Jefferson County at 632 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY?

The average last frost date in Louisville/Jefferson County is April 6, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 23.

When is the first frost in Louisville/Jefferson County?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 1. One year in ten it arrives before October 21.

How long is the growing season in Louisville/Jefferson County?

About 209 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Louisville/Jefferson County?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 13 to April 27. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Kentucky

All 19 cities in Kentucky