Frost Dates for Lexington, KY 40517
Lexington has 16 ZIP codes. The Lexington, KY frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 15 · First fall frost October 25 · 193 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 40517 has about 35,700 people, one of 16 ZIP codes in Lexington.
Long season: 193 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 2–April 28 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 10–November 9 (30 days).
Frost probability for 40517
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 28 | April 15 | April 2 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 10 | October 25 | November 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LEXINGTON BLUE GRASS AP (12.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 193-day season in Lexington
In Lexington (193 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 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 29. | Jun 25 |
| Pepper | Mar 4 | Apr 29–May 6 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 29. | Jun 30 |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 235 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 25. | Aug 23 |
| Cucumber | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Beans | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Peas | — | Feb 18–Apr 29 | 256 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 18. | Aug 14 |
| Zucchini | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Onion | Jan 21 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 18–Apr 8 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 18. | Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 242 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 18. | Aug 23 |
| Radish | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 23 |
| Beets | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 25 | 298 | overwinter: Plant Oct 25 to Nov 15; harvest the following summer. | Nov 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 11–May 6 | 249 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 11; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 22. | Jul 7 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 1 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 158 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 29. | Jun 12 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 207 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 8. | Aug 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 1 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 242 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 18. | Jul 24 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 158 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 29. | Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 151 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 29. | Jul 5 |
| Okra | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Basil | Mar 11 | May 6–May 6 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 18–Apr 8 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Parsley | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 193 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 22. | Aug 9 |
| Celery | Feb 4 | Apr 22–May 6 | 193 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 22. | Jun 20 |
| Scallions | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Collards | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 151 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 29. | Jun 20 |
| Chives | Jan 21 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Oregano | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 207 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 21 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Sage | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 207 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Cosmos | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Lavender | Jan 21 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Melons | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 151 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 29. | Jun 20 |
| Mint | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 172 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 22. | Jul 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 29. | Jun 22 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 15. | Jul 19 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 22. | Jun 30 |
| Watermelon | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 22. | Jun 25 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Zinnias | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
Month by month in Lexington
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 21), Lavender (Jan 21), Onion (Jan 21), Rosemary (Jan 21). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 4), Collards (Feb 4), Kale (Feb 4), Oregano (Feb 4), Parsley (Feb 4), Scallions (Feb 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 18), Beets (Feb 18), Dill (Feb 18), Peas (Feb 18), Radish (Feb 18), Spinach (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 4), Cauliflower (Mar 4), Marigolds (Mar 4), Pepper (Mar 4), Basil (Mar 11), Tomato (Mar 11), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 4), Cilantro (Mar 18), Turnip (Mar 18), Carrots (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 18), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 18), Cabbage (Mar 18), Collards (Mar 18), Kale (Mar 18), Lettuce (Mar 18), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 11). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 1), Cantaloupe (Apr 1), Melons (Apr 1), Pumpkin (Apr 1), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 1), Watermelon (Apr 1), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 1), Sunflowers (Apr 15), Beans (Apr 22), Pole Beans (Apr 22). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 1), Swiss Chard (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Cauliflower (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 15), Lavender (Apr 15), +26 more. Last frost around April 15. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 6). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 12), Pumpkin (Jun 12), Cantaloupe (Jun 20), Celery (Jun 20), Melons (Jun 20), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 22), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 5), Corn (Jul 7), Sunflowers (Jul 19), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 24), Pole Beans (Jul 24), Basil (Jul 29), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 3), Okra (Aug 3), Yellow Squash (Aug 3), Zucchini (Aug 3), Cauliflower (Aug 4), Beans (Aug 5), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 2), Scallions (Sep 2), Bok Choy (Sep 3), Lettuce (Sep 3), Kale (Sep 7), Kohlrabi (Sep 7), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 25). First frost around October 25. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 15). |
| 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 40517)?
The median last spring frost date for Lexington, KY (ZIP code 40517) is around April 15. 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 2; one in ten it runs past April 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Lexington, KY?
The median first fall frost date for Lexington, KY is around October 25. 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 10 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 193 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 (193 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 11 and plant out Apr 29 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 18 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1.
When do I plant garlic in Lexington?
Oct 25 to Nov 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Lexington?
Yes: plant out Apr 29 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 25 for a fall crop.
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