Frost Dates for Bowling Green, KY 42104
Last spring frost April 10 · First fall frost October 23 · 196 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 42104 has about 42,100 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Bowling Green.
Long season: 196 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 26–April 25 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 8–November 8 (31 days).
Frost probability for 42104
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 25 | April 10 | March 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 8 | October 23 | November 8 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PORTLAND SEWAGE PLT (32.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 196-day season in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green (196 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 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 24. | Jun 23 |
| Pepper | Feb 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 24. | Jun 28 |
| Lettuce | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 238 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 20. | Aug 21 |
| Cucumber | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Beans | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Peas | — | Feb 13–Apr 24 | 259 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 13. | Aug 12 |
| Zucchini | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Onion | Jan 16 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 231 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 13–Apr 3 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Kale | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 13. | Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 245 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 13. | Aug 21 |
| Radish | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 21 |
| Beets | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 23 | 301 | overwinter: Plant Oct 23 to Nov 13; harvest the following summer. | Nov 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 6–May 1 | 252 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 17. | Jul 5 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 161 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 24. | Jun 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 210 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 3. | Aug 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Mar 27 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 245 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 13. | Jul 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 161 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 24. | Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 24. | Jul 3 |
| Okra | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Basil | Mar 6 | May 1–May 1 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 13–Apr 3 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Parsley | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 196 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 17. | Aug 7 |
| Celery | Jan 30 | Apr 17–May 1 | 196 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 17. | Jun 18 |
| Scallions | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Collards | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 154 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 24. | Jun 18 |
| Chives | Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Oregano | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 210 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Sage | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 210 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Cosmos | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Lavender | Jan 16 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Melons | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 154 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 24. | Jun 18 |
| Mint | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 175 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 17. | Jul 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 24. | Jun 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 10. | Jul 17 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 17. | Jun 28 |
| Watermelon | Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 161 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 17. | Jun 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Zinnias | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
Month by month in Bowling Green
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 16), Lavender (Jan 16), Onion (Jan 16), Rosemary (Jan 16), Celery (Jan 30), Collards (Jan 30), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 13), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 13), Cabbage (Feb 13), Lettuce (Feb 13), Sage (Feb 13), Swiss Chard (Feb 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 13), Beets (Feb 13), Dill (Feb 13), Peas (Feb 13), Radish (Feb 13), Spinach (Feb 13), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 6), Tomato (Mar 6), Bok Choy (Mar 13), Corn (Mar 13), Cosmos (Mar 13), Nasturtiums (Mar 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 13), Turnip (Mar 13), Carrots (Mar 20), Potatoes (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Collards (Mar 13), Kale (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 6). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 10), Beans (Apr 17), Pole Beans (Apr 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Cauliflower (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 10), Lavender (Apr 10), Marigolds (Apr 10), Mint (Apr 10), +24 more. Last frost around April 10. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 1). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 10), Pumpkin (Jun 10), Cantaloupe (Jun 18), Celery (Jun 18), Melons (Jun 18), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 20), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 3), Corn (Jul 5), Sunflowers (Jul 17), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 22), Pole Beans (Jul 22), Basil (Jul 27), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 1), Okra (Aug 1), Yellow Squash (Aug 1), Zucchini (Aug 1), Cauliflower (Aug 2), Beans (Aug 3), +12 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Sep 1), Lettuce (Sep 1), Kale (Sep 5), Kohlrabi (Sep 5), Turnip (Sep 10), Arugula (Sep 20), +2 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 23). First frost around October 23. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 13). |
| 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 Bowling Green, KY (ZIP 42104)?
The median last spring frost date for Bowling Green, KY (ZIP code 42104) is around April 10. 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 26; one in ten it runs past April 25.
What is the first fall frost date in Bowling Green, KY?
The median first fall frost date for Bowling Green, KY is around October 23. 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 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bowling Green, KY?
The frost-free growing season in Bowling Green is about 196 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 Bowling Green (196 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 Bowling Green, KY?
Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green, KY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 6 and plant out Apr 24 in Bowling Green. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bowling Green?
Two: plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30.
When do I plant garlic in Bowling Green?
Oct 23 to Nov 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Bowling Green?
Yes: plant out Apr 24 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 23 for a fall crop.
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