Frost Dates for Lexington, KY 40516
Lexington has 16 ZIP codes. The Lexington, KY frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 20 · First fall frost October 23 · 186 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 40516 has about 2,930 people, one of 16 ZIP codes in Lexington.
Long season: 186 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 5–May 5 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 9–November 7 (29 days).
Frost probability for 40516
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 5 | April 20 | April 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 9 | October 23 | November 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MT STERLING (37.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 186-day season in Lexington
In Lexington (186 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 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after May 4. | Jun 23 |
| Pepper | Mar 9 | May 4–May 11 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 4. | Jun 28 |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 30. | Aug 21 |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23–May 4 | 249 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 23. | Aug 12 |
| Zucchini | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Onion | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23–Apr 13 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 23. | Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 235 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 23. | Aug 21 |
| Radish | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 21 |
| Beets | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 23 | 291 | overwinter: Plant Oct 23 to Nov 13; harvest the following summer. | Nov 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 16–May 11 | 242 | 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 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 27. | Jul 5 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 6 | May 4–May 4 | 151 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 151 available after May 4. | Jun 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 200 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 13. | Aug 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 23. | Jul 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 151 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 151 available after May 4. | Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 144 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 144 available after May 4. | Jul 3 |
| Okra | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Basil | Mar 16 | May 11–May 11 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 23–Apr 13 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Parsley | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 27. | Aug 7 |
| Celery | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 11 | 186 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 27. | Jun 18 |
| Scallions | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Collards | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 144 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 144 available after May 4. | Jun 18 |
| Chives | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Oregano | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Sage | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 200 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Cosmos | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Lavender | Jan 26 | Apr 20–May 4 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Melons | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 144 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 144 available after May 4. | Jun 18 |
| Mint | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 165 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 27. | Jul 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 4. | Jun 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 20. | Jul 17 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 27. | Jun 28 |
| Watermelon | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 27. | Jun 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Zinnias | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
Month by month in Lexington
| 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 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 Lexington, KY (ZIP 40516)?
The median last spring frost date for Lexington, KY (ZIP code 40516) 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 5; one in ten it runs past May 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Lexington, KY?
The median first fall frost date for Lexington, 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 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lexington, KY?
The frost-free growing season in Lexington is about 186 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 Lexington (186 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 Lexington, KY?
Lexington, 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 Lexington, KY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 16 and plant out May 4 in Lexington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lexington?
Two: plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30.
When do I plant garlic in Lexington?
Oct 23 to Nov 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Lexington?
Yes: plant out May 4 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 23 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Lexington (ZIP 40509) has 193 frost-free days, 7 more than Lexington (ZIP 40516). See Lexington ZIP 40509 frost dates
Nearby and related
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