Frost Dates for Frankfort, KY 40601
Last spring frost April 19 · First fall frost October 20 · 184 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 40601 has about 51,900 people.
Long season: 184 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 5–May 3 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans October 6–November 3 (28 days).
Frost probability for 40601
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 3 | April 19 | April 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 6 | October 20 | November 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FRANKFORT DOWNTOWN (3.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 184-day season in Frankfort
In Frankfort (184 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 15 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | Jun 20 |
| Pepper | Mar 8 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | Jun 25 |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 29. | Aug 18 |
| Cucumber | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Peas | — | Feb 22–May 3 | 247 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 247 available after Feb 22. | Aug 9 |
| Zucchini | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Onion | Jan 25 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 22–Apr 12 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 219 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 22. | Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 233 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 22. | Aug 18 |
| Radish | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 20 | 289 | overwinter: Plant Oct 20 to Nov 10; harvest the following summer. | Nov 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 15–May 10 | 240 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 26. | Jul 2 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 5 | May 3–May 3 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after May 3. | Jun 7 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 12. | Jul 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 5 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 233 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 22. | Jul 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after May 3. | Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | Jun 30 |
| Okra | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Basil | Mar 15 | May 10–May 10 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 22–Apr 12 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Parsley | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 26. | Aug 4 |
| Celery | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 10 | 184 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 26. | Jun 15 |
| Scallions | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Collards | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | Jun 15 |
| Chives | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Oregano | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Sage | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Cosmos | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Lavender | Jan 25 | Apr 19–May 3 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Melons | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | Jun 15 |
| Mint | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 163 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 26. | Jul 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after May 3. | Jun 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 19. | Jul 14 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 26. | Jun 25 |
| Watermelon | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 149 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 26. | Jun 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Zinnias | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
Month by month in Frankfort
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 25), Lavender (Jan 25), Onion (Jan 25), Rosemary (Jan 25). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 8), Collards (Feb 8), Kale (Feb 8), Oregano (Feb 8), Parsley (Feb 8), Scallions (Feb 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 22), Beets (Feb 22), Dill (Feb 22), Peas (Feb 22), Radish (Feb 22), Spinach (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 1), Calendula (Mar 8), Cauliflower (Mar 8), Marigolds (Mar 8), Pepper (Mar 8), Basil (Mar 15), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 8), Cilantro (Mar 22), Turnip (Mar 22), Carrots (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 22), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 22), Cabbage (Mar 22), Collards (Mar 22), Kale (Mar 22), Lettuce (Mar 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 15). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 5), Cantaloupe (Apr 5), Melons (Apr 5), Pumpkin (Apr 5), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 5), Watermelon (Apr 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 5), Sunflowers (Apr 19), Beans (Apr 26), Pole Beans (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 5), Swiss Chard (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Cauliflower (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 19), Lavender (Apr 19), +15 more. Last frost around April 19. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Cucumber (May 3), Eggplant (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pepper (May 3), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 7), Pumpkin (Jun 7), Cantaloupe (Jun 15), Celery (Jun 15), Melons (Jun 15), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 17), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 2), Sunflowers (Jul 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 19), Pole Beans (Jul 19), Basil (Jul 24), Cosmos (Jul 24), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 3), Parsley (Aug 4), Peas (Aug 9), Cabbage (Aug 18), Carrots (Aug 18), Beets (Aug 19), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 2), Kohlrabi (Sep 2), Turnip (Sep 7), Arugula (Sep 17), Spinach (Sep 17), Radish (Sep 18). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 20). First frost around October 20. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 10). |
| 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 Frankfort, KY (ZIP 40601)?
The median last spring frost date for Frankfort, KY (ZIP code 40601) is around April 19. 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 5; one in ten it runs past May 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Frankfort, KY?
The median first fall frost date for Frankfort, KY is around October 20. 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 Frankfort, KY?
The frost-free growing season in Frankfort is about 184 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 Frankfort (184 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 Frankfort, KY?
Frankfort, 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 Frankfort, KY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 15 and plant out May 3 in Frankfort. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Frankfort?
Two: plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27.
When do I plant garlic in Frankfort?
Oct 20 to Nov 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Frankfort?
Yes: plant out May 3 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 20 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Versailles (ZIP 40383) has 193 frost-free days, 9 more than Frankfort (ZIP 40601). See Versailles ZIP 40383 frost dates
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