Frost Dates for Berea, KY 40403
Last spring frost April 13 · First fall frost October 24 · 194 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 40403 has about 27,600 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Berea.
Long season: 194 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 29–April 29 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 6–November 12 (37 days).
Frost probability for 40403
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 29 | April 13 | March 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 6 | October 24 | November 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BEREA COLLEGE (2.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Berea, KY
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40403 | April 13 | October 24 | 7a |
| 40404 | April 13 | October 24 | 7a |
Which crops fit a 194-day season in Berea
In Berea (194 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 27. | Jun 24 |
| Pepper | Mar 2 | Apr 27–May 4 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 27. | Jun 29 |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 2 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 23. | Aug 22 |
| Cucumber | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Peas | — | Feb 16–Apr 27 | 257 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 16. | Aug 13 |
| Zucchini | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Onion | Jan 19 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 229 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 16–Apr 6 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 229 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 16. | Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 16. | Aug 22 |
| Radish | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 22 |
| Beets | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 24 | 299 | overwinter: Plant Oct 24 to Nov 14; harvest the following summer. | Nov 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 9–May 4 | 250 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 20. | Jul 6 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 30 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 159 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 27. | Jun 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 6. | Aug 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Mar 30 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 16. | Jul 23 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 159 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 27. | Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 27. | Jul 4 |
| Okra | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Basil | Mar 9 | May 4–May 4 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 16–Apr 6 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Parsley | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 20. | Aug 8 |
| Celery | Feb 2 | Apr 20–May 4 | 194 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 20. | Jun 19 |
| Scallions | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 2 |
| Collards | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 152 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 27. | Jun 19 |
| Chives | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Oregano | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Sage | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Cosmos | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Lavender | Jan 19 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Melons | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 152 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 27. | Jun 19 |
| Mint | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 173 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 20. | Jul 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 27. | Jun 21 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 13. | Jul 18 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 20. | Jun 29 |
| Watermelon | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 20. | Jun 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Zinnias | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
Month by month in Berea
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 19), Lavender (Jan 19), Onion (Jan 19), Rosemary (Jan 19). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 2), Collards (Feb 2), Kale (Feb 2), Oregano (Feb 2), Parsley (Feb 2), Scallions (Feb 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 16), Beets (Feb 16), Dill (Feb 16), Peas (Feb 16), Radish (Feb 16), Spinach (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 2), Cauliflower (Mar 2), Marigolds (Mar 2), Pepper (Mar 2), Basil (Mar 9), Tomato (Mar 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 2), Cilantro (Mar 16), Turnip (Mar 16), Carrots (Mar 23), Potatoes (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 16), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 16), Cabbage (Mar 16), Collards (Mar 16), Kale (Mar 16), Lettuce (Mar 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 9). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 13), Beans (Apr 20), Pole Beans (Apr 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Cauliflower (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 13), Lavender (Apr 13), Marigolds (Apr 13), Mint (Apr 13), +24 more. Last frost around April 13. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 4). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 11), Pumpkin (Jun 11), Cantaloupe (Jun 19), Celery (Jun 19), Melons (Jun 19), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 21), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 4), Corn (Jul 6), Sunflowers (Jul 18), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 23), Pole Beans (Jul 23), Basil (Jul 28), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 2), Okra (Aug 2), Yellow Squash (Aug 2), Zucchini (Aug 2), Cauliflower (Aug 3), Beans (Aug 4), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 1), Scallions (Sep 1), Bok Choy (Sep 2), Lettuce (Sep 2), Kale (Sep 6), Kohlrabi (Sep 6), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 24). First frost around October 24. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 14). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Berea, KY (ZIP 40403)?
The median last spring frost date for Berea, KY (ZIP code 40403) is around April 13. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 29; one in ten it runs past April 29.
What is the first fall frost date in Berea, KY?
The median first fall frost date for Berea, KY is around October 24. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Berea, KY?
The frost-free growing season in Berea is about 194 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Berea (194 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Berea, KY?
Berea, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Berea, KY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 9 and plant out Apr 27 in Berea. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Berea?
Two: plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31.
When do I plant garlic in Berea?
Oct 24 to Nov 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Berea?
Yes: plant out Apr 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 24 for a fall crop.
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