Frost Dates for Louisville, KY 40229
Louisville has 34 ZIP codes. The Louisville, KY frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 20 · First fall frost October 16 · 179 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 40229 has about 41,300 people, one of 34 ZIP codes in Louisville.
Moderate season: 179 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 3–May 6 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 3–October 31 (28 days).
Frost probability for 40229
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 6 | April 20 | April 3 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 3 | October 16 | October 31 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BARDSTOWN 5E (38.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 179-day season in Louisville
In Louisville (179 frost-free days, a moderate 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 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 4. | Jun 16 |
| Pepper | Mar 9 | May 4–May 11 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 4. | Jun 21 |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 30. | Aug 14 |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23–May 4 | 242 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 242 available after Feb 23. | Aug 5 |
| Zucchini | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Onion | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 214 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23–Apr 13 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 23. | Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 23. | Aug 14 |
| Radish | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Oct 23. | Sep 14 |
| Beets | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 16 | 284 | overwinter: Plant Oct 16 to Nov 6; harvest the following summer. | Nov 6 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 16–May 11 | 235 | 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 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 27. | Jun 28 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 6 | May 4–May 4 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 4. | Jun 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 13. | Jul 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 23. | Jul 15 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 4. | Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 4. | Jun 26 |
| Okra | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Basil | Mar 16 | May 11–May 11 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 23–Apr 13 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Parsley | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 27. | Jul 31 |
| Celery | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 11 | 179 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 27. | Jun 11 |
| Scallions | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Collards | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 4. | Jun 11 |
| Chives | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Oregano | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Sage | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Cosmos | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Lavender | Jan 26 | Apr 20–May 4 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Melons | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 4. | Jun 11 |
| Mint | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 158 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 27. | Jul 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 144 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 144 available after May 4. | Jun 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 20. | Jul 10 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 27. | Jun 21 |
| Watermelon | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 27. | Jun 16 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Zinnias | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
Month by month in Louisville
| 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 3), Pumpkin (Jun 3), Cantaloupe (Jun 11), Celery (Jun 11), Melons (Jun 11), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 13), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 10), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 15), Pole Beans (Jul 15), Basil (Jul 20), Cosmos (Jul 20), Cucumber (Jul 20), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 5), Cabbage (Aug 14), Carrots (Aug 14), Beets (Aug 15), Dill (Aug 15), Swiss Chard (Aug 15), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 3), Arugula (Sep 13), Spinach (Sep 13), Radish (Sep 14). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 16). First frost around October 16. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 6). |
| 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 40229)?
The median last spring frost date for Louisville, KY (ZIP code 40229) 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 3; one in ten it runs past May 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Louisville, KY?
The median first fall frost date for Louisville, KY is around October 16. 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 3 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 179 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 (179 frost-free days, a moderate 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 16 and plant out May 4 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 23 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23.
When do I plant garlic in Louisville?
Oct 16 to Nov 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Louisville (ZIP 40214) has 187 frost-free days, 8 more than Louisville (ZIP 40229). See Louisville ZIP 40214 frost dates
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