Frost Dates for Louisville, KY 40258
Louisville has 34 ZIP codes. The Louisville, KY frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 24 · First fall frost October 16 · 175 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 40258 has about 26,800 people, one of 34 ZIP codes in Louisville.
Moderate season: 175 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 6–May 10 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 2–October 31 (29 days).
Frost probability for 40258
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 10 | April 24 | April 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 2 | October 16 | October 31 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BERNHEIM FOREST (31.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 175-day season in Louisville
In Louisville (175 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 20 | May 8–May 15 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 8. | Jun 16 |
| Pepper | Mar 13 | May 8–May 15 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 8. | Jun 21 |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 3. | Aug 14 |
| Cucumber | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Beans | — | May 1–May 15 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Peas | — | Feb 27–May 8 | 238 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 238 available after Feb 27. | Aug 5 |
| Zucchini | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Onion | Jan 30 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 210 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 27–Apr 17 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Kale | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 210 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 27. | Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 27. | Aug 14 |
| Radish | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Oct 23. | Sep 14 |
| Beets | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 16 | 280 | overwinter: Plant Oct 16 to Nov 6; harvest the following summer. | Nov 6 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 20–May 15 | 231 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 1. | Jun 28 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 10 | May 8–May 8 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 8. | Jun 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 | Apr 17–May 1 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 17. | Jul 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 224 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 27. | Jul 15 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 8. | Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 133 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 8. | Jun 26 |
| Okra | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Basil | Mar 20 | May 15–May 15 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 27–Apr 17 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Parsley | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after May 1. | Jul 31 |
| Celery | Feb 13 | May 1–May 15 | 175 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 175 available after May 1. | Jun 11 |
| Scallions | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Collards | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 8. | Jun 11 |
| Chives | Jan 30 | May 1–May 8 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after May 1. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Oregano | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after May 1. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 30 | May 1–May 8 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after May 1. | — |
| Sage | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after May 1. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after May 1. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Cosmos | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Lavender | Jan 30 | Apr 24–May 8 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 1 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Melons | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 8. | Jun 11 |
| Mint | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 1–May 15 | 154 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 154 available after May 1. | Jul 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 140 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 8. | Jun 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 24. | Jul 10 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 1. | Jun 21 |
| Watermelon | Apr 10 | May 1–May 8 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after May 1. | Jun 16 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Zinnias | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 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 30), Lavender (Jan 30), Onion (Jan 30), Rosemary (Jan 30). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 13), Collards (Feb 13), Kale (Feb 13), Oregano (Feb 13), Parsley (Feb 13), Scallions (Feb 13), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 27), Beets (Feb 27), Dill (Feb 27), Peas (Feb 27), Radish (Feb 27), Spinach (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 6), Calendula (Mar 13), Cauliflower (Mar 13), Marigolds (Mar 13), Pepper (Mar 13), Basil (Mar 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 13), Cilantro (Mar 27), Turnip (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 27), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 27), Cabbage (Mar 27), Collards (Mar 27), Kale (Mar 27), Lettuce (Mar 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 20). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 3), Butternut Squash (Apr 10), Cantaloupe (Apr 10), Melons (Apr 10), Pumpkin (Apr 10), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 3), Potatoes (Apr 10), Sunflowers (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 10), Swiss Chard (Apr 10), Bok Choy (Apr 17), Cauliflower (Apr 17), Cosmos (Apr 24), Lavender (Apr 24), +4 more. Last frost around April 24. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 1), Pole Beans (May 1). Transplant from: Celery (May 1), Chives (May 1), Corn (May 1), Okra (May 1), Oregano (May 1), Parsley (May 1), +17 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 40258)?
The median last spring frost date for Louisville, KY (ZIP code 40258) is around April 24. 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 6; one in ten it runs past May 10.
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 2 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 175 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 (175 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 20 and plant out May 8 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 27 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 40216) has 187 frost-free days, 12 more than Louisville (ZIP 40258). See Louisville ZIP 40216 frost dates
Nearby and related
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