Frost Dates for Louisville, KY 40217
Louisville has 34 ZIP codes. The Louisville, KY frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 18 · First fall frost October 22 · 187 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 40217 has about 11,700 people, one of 34 ZIP codes in Louisville.
Long season: 187 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–May 8 (39 days). Fall frost risk spans October 4–November 8 (35 days).
Frost probability for 40217
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 8 | April 18 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 4 | October 22 | November 8 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CHARLESTOWN 5 NNW (48.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 187-day season in Louisville
In Louisville (187 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 14 | May 2–May 9 | 145 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 145 available after May 2. | Jun 22 |
| Pepper | Mar 7 | May 2–May 9 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after May 2. | Jun 27 |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 28. | Aug 20 |
| Cucumber | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Peas | — | Feb 21–May 2 | 250 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 250 available after Feb 21. | Aug 11 |
| Zucchini | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Onion | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 222 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 21–Apr 11 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Kale | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 222 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 21. | Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 21. | Aug 20 |
| Radish | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 20 |
| Beets | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 22 | 292 | overwinter: Plant Oct 22 to Nov 12; harvest the following summer. | Nov 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 14–May 9 | 243 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 25. | Jul 4 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 4 | May 2–May 2 | 152 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 152 available after May 2. | Jun 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 11. | Aug 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 4 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 236 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 21. | Jul 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 152 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 152 available after May 2. | Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after May 2. | Jul 2 |
| Okra | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Basil | Mar 14 | May 9–May 9 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 21–Apr 11 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Parsley | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 25. | Aug 6 |
| Celery | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 9 | 187 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 25. | Jun 17 |
| Scallions | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Collards | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 145 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 145 available after May 2. | Jun 17 |
| Chives | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Oregano | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Sage | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Cosmos | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Lavender | Jan 24 | Apr 18–May 2 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Melons | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 145 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 145 available after May 2. | Jun 17 |
| Mint | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 166 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 25. | Jul 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 2. | Jun 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 18. | Jul 16 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 25. | Jun 27 |
| Watermelon | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 25. | Jun 22 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Zinnias | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
Month by month in Louisville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 24), Lavender (Jan 24), Onion (Jan 24), Rosemary (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 7), Collards (Feb 7), Kale (Feb 7), Oregano (Feb 7), Parsley (Feb 7), Scallions (Feb 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 21), Beets (Feb 21), Dill (Feb 21), Peas (Feb 21), Radish (Feb 21), Spinach (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 7), Cauliflower (Mar 7), Marigolds (Mar 7), Pepper (Mar 7), Basil (Mar 14), Tomato (Mar 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 7), Cilantro (Mar 21), Turnip (Mar 21), Carrots (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 21), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 21), Cabbage (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), Kale (Mar 21), Lettuce (Mar 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 14). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 4), Cantaloupe (Apr 4), Melons (Apr 4), Pumpkin (Apr 4), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 4), Watermelon (Apr 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 4), Sunflowers (Apr 18), Beans (Apr 25), Pole Beans (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Cauliflower (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 18), Lavender (Apr 18), +15 more. Last frost around April 18. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 2), Cantaloupe (May 2), Cucumber (May 2), Eggplant (May 2), Melons (May 2), Pepper (May 2), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 9), Pumpkin (Jun 9), Cantaloupe (Jun 17), Celery (Jun 17), Melons (Jun 17), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 19), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 2), Corn (Jul 4), Sunflowers (Jul 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 21), Pole Beans (Jul 21), Basil (Jul 26), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cauliflower (Aug 1), Beans (Aug 2), Marigolds (Aug 5), Parsley (Aug 6), Peas (Aug 11), Cabbage (Aug 20), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 4), Kohlrabi (Sep 4), Turnip (Sep 9), Arugula (Sep 19), Spinach (Sep 19), Radish (Sep 20). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 22). First frost around October 22. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 12). |
| 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 Louisville, KY (ZIP 40217)?
The median last spring frost date for Louisville, KY (ZIP code 40217) is around April 18. 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 30; one in ten it runs past May 8.
What is the first fall frost date in Louisville, KY?
The median first fall frost date for Louisville, KY is around October 22. 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 Louisville, KY?
The frost-free growing season in Louisville is about 187 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 Louisville (187 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 Louisville, KY?
Louisville, 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 Louisville, KY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 14 and plant out May 2 in Louisville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Louisville?
Two: plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29.
When do I plant garlic in Louisville?
Oct 22 to Nov 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Louisville?
Yes: plant out May 2 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 22 for a fall crop.
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