Frost Dates for Burlington, KY 41005
Last spring frost April 20 · First fall frost October 17 · 180 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 41005 has about 25,700 people.
Long season: 180 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 6–May 6 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 4–October 30 (26 days).
Frost probability for 41005
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 6 | April 20 | April 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 4 | October 17 | October 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CINCINNATI/NORTHERN KENTUCKY I (9.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 180-day season in Burlington
In Burlington (180 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 16 | May 4–May 11 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 4. | Jun 17 |
| Pepper | Mar 9 | May 4–May 11 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 4. | Jun 22 |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 30. | Aug 15 |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23–May 4 | 243 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 243 available after Feb 23. | Aug 6 |
| Zucchini | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Onion | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 215 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23–Apr 13 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 215 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 23. | Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 23. | Aug 15 |
| Radish | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Oct 24. | Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 17 | 285 | overwinter: Plant Oct 17 to Nov 7; harvest the following summer. | Nov 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 16–May 11 | 236 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 27. | Jun 29 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 6 | May 4–May 4 | 145 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 145 available after May 4. | Jun 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 13. | Jul 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 229 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 23. | Jul 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 145 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 145 available after May 4. | Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 138 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 138 available after May 4. | Jun 27 |
| Okra | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Basil | Mar 16 | May 11–May 11 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 23–Apr 13 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Parsley | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 27. | Aug 1 |
| Celery | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 11 | 180 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 27. | Jun 12 |
| Scallions | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Collards | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 138 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 138 available after May 4. | Jun 12 |
| Chives | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Oregano | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Sage | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Cosmos | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Lavender | Jan 26 | Apr 20–May 4 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Melons | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 138 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 138 available after May 4. | Jun 12 |
| Mint | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 159 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 27. | Jul 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 145 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 145 available after May 4. | Jun 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 20. | Jul 11 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 27. | Jun 22 |
| Watermelon | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 145 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 27. | Jun 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Zinnias | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
Month by month in Burlington
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 26), Lavender (Jan 26), Onion (Jan 26), Rosemary (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 9), Collards (Feb 9), Kale (Feb 9), Oregano (Feb 9), Parsley (Feb 9), Scallions (Feb 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 23), Beets (Feb 23), Dill (Feb 23), Peas (Feb 23), Radish (Feb 23), Spinach (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 2), Calendula (Mar 9), Cauliflower (Mar 9), Marigolds (Mar 9), Pepper (Mar 9), Basil (Mar 16), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 9), Cilantro (Mar 23), Turnip (Mar 23), Carrots (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 23), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 23), Cabbage (Mar 23), Collards (Mar 23), Kale (Mar 23), Lettuce (Mar 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 16). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pumpkin (Apr 6), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 6), Watermelon (Apr 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 6), Sunflowers (Apr 20), Beans (Apr 27), Pole Beans (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 6), Swiss Chard (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Cauliflower (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 20), Lavender (Apr 20), +15 more. Last frost around April 20. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 4), Cantaloupe (May 4), Cucumber (May 4), Eggplant (May 4), Melons (May 4), Pepper (May 4), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 4), Pumpkin (Jun 4), Cantaloupe (Jun 12), Celery (Jun 12), Melons (Jun 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 14), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 16), Pole Beans (Jul 16), Basil (Jul 21), Cosmos (Jul 21), Cucumber (Jul 21), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Aug 1), Peas (Aug 6), Cabbage (Aug 15), Carrots (Aug 15), Beets (Aug 16), Dill (Aug 16), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 4), Arugula (Sep 14), Spinach (Sep 14), Radish (Sep 15). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 17). First frost around October 17. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 7). |
| 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 Burlington, KY (ZIP 41005)?
The median last spring frost date for Burlington, KY (ZIP code 41005) is around April 20. 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 April 6; one in ten it runs past May 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Burlington, KY?
The median first fall frost date for Burlington, KY is around October 17. 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 4 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Burlington, KY?
The frost-free growing season in Burlington is about 180 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 Burlington (180 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 Burlington, KY?
Burlington, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Burlington, KY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 16 and plant out May 4 in Burlington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Burlington?
Two: plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.
When do I plant garlic in Burlington?
Oct 17 to Nov 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Burlington?
Yes: plant out May 4 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 17 for a fall crop.
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