When to plant potatoes in Kentucky

Sow outdoors in Louisville/Jefferson County

Mar 9–Mar 23

Across Kentucky the window opens between March 5 and March 25. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, Louisville/Jefferson County: Mar 9–Mar 23
Last frost, Louisville/Jefferson County: Apr 6

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost. Plant seed potatoes once the soil reaches about 45°F. Shoots that come up before the last frost can be covered with soil.

Potatoes planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Louisville/Jefferson CountyMar 9–Mar 23

Lexington-FayetteMar 16–Mar 30

Bowling GreenMar 8–Mar 22

OwensboroMar 5–Mar 19

CovingtonMar 19–Apr 2

GeorgetownMar 21–Apr 4

RichmondMar 18–Apr 1

ElizabethtownMar 19–Apr 2

FlorenceMar 21–Apr 4

NicholasvilleMar 16–Mar 30

HopkinsvilleMar 7–Mar 21

IndependenceMar 21–Apr 4

JeffersontownMar 6–Mar 20

FrankfortMar 18–Apr 1

HendersonMar 12–Mar 26

PaducahMar 9–Mar 23

RadcliffMar 19–Apr 2

AshlandMar 25–Apr 8

ErlangerMar 21–Apr 4

Questions

When should I plant potatoes in Kentucky?

In Louisville/Jefferson County, sow outdoors from March 9 to March 23. Across Kentucky the window opens between March 5 and March 25, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.