Last frost date in Owensboro, KY

Average last frost
April 2

Expect the last frost in Owensboro around April 2. Frost after April 20 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 1, which leaves 211 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 19 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 20
Average first frost
Nov 1
Frost-free season
211 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 23
Next 7 nights in Owensboro

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2245°
  2. FriOct 2345°
  3. SatOct 2446°
  4. SunOct 2547°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2749°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 2First frost Nov 1211 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND211 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Calhoun Lock 2, 17.6 miles from Owensboro.

Planting calendar for Owensboro

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 9–Apr 23
PumpkinsApr 16–Apr 30
SunflowersApr 2–Apr 23
CucumbersApr 16–Apr 23
CornApr 9–Apr 23
Sweet potatoesApr 23–May 7
WatermelonApr 16–Apr 30
Green beansApr 9–Apr 30
ZucchiniApr 9–Apr 23
OkraApr 23–May 7
PeppersApr 16–Apr 30
BasilApr 9–Apr 23
Butternut squashApr 9–Apr 23
CantaloupeApr 16–Apr 30
EggplantApr 16–Apr 30
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 5–Mar 19
OnionsFeb 19–Mar 12
CarrotsMar 12–Apr 16
LettuceMar 19–Apr 9
BroccoliMar 5–Mar 19
BeetsMar 5–Apr 16
PeasFeb 19–Mar 5
CabbageMar 5–Mar 19
RadishesFeb 26–Apr 9
Brussels sproutsMar 19–Apr 2
SpinachFeb 19–Mar 12
CilantroMar 19–Apr 9
KaleMar 5–Mar 19
Collard greensMar 5–Mar 19
TurnipsMar 5–Mar 19
DillApr 2–Apr 16
CeleryApr 9–Apr 16
CauliflowerMar 19–Apr 2
LeeksMar 19–Apr 2
Swiss chardMar 19–Apr 16
ParsleyMar 19–Apr 9
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 18–Nov 22
GarlicOct 11–Nov 15
Daffodil bulbsOct 4–Nov 15
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 5–Mar 19
AsparagusMar 5–Mar 19

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 17Apr 2Apr 20Oct 19Nov 1Nov 15
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 4Mar 23Apr 10Oct 29Nov 10Nov 30

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 Calhoun Lock 2 (USC00151227) sits 17.6 miles from the center of Owensboro at 402 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 Owensboro, KY?

The average last frost date in Owensboro is April 2, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 20.

When is the first frost in Owensboro?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 1. One year in ten it arrives before October 19.

How long is the growing season in Owensboro?

About 211 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Owensboro?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 9 to April 23. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Kentucky

All 19 cities in Kentucky