When to Plant in Kentucky: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 780 Kentucky ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Apr 15 and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 6 areas: Apr 25 – May 2; Zone 7 areas: Apr 22 – Apr 29.
Kentucky spans USDA hardiness zones 6b–7b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 780 of its 780 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Apr 15 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Apr 3 – Apr 24) and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (Oct 18 – Nov 1). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Kentucky frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 6 (150 ZIP codes) | Cincinnati Lunken Airport, OH, Crestwood 4Ne, KY, Williamstown, KY | Apr 18middle 80%: Apr 11 – Apr 29 | Oct 24middle 80%: Oct 16 – Oct 30 |
| Zone 7 (626 ZIP codes) | Baxter, KY, Prestonsburg 3Wsw, KY, Skyline 1 Se, KY | Apr 15middle 80%: Apr 3 – Apr 23 | Oct 25middle 80%: Oct 19 – Nov 2 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Kentucky ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Big Stone Gap, VA, Breaks Interstate Park, VA, Brookport Dam 52, IL, Byrdstown, TN, Cairo 3N, IL, Cannelton, IN…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Kentucky vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Kentucky, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 6 areasLast frost Apr 18 · First frost Oct 24 | Zone 7 areasLast frost Apr 15 · First frost Oct 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21Harvest (est.) May 6 – Jun 9 | Mar 4 – Mar 18Harvest (est.) May 3 – Jun 6 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21Harvest (est.) Apr 21 – May 20 | Mar 4 – Mar 18Harvest (est.) Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Mar 14 – Apr 4Harvest (est.) Apr 3 – May 4 | Mar 11 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 21 – Apr 4Harvest (est.) May 20 – Jun 23 | Mar 18 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) May 17 – Jun 20 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 21 – Apr 4Harvest (est.) Jun 14 – Aug 2 | Mar 18 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) Jun 11 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 21 – Apr 4Harvest (est.) May 10 – Jun 13 | Mar 18 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) May 7 – Jun 10 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 21 – Apr 4Harvest (est.) May 30 – Jul 3 | Mar 18 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 30 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 15 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Apr 4 – Apr 11Harvest (est.) Jun 28 – Jul 30 | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 27 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 25 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jul 4 – Jul 31 | Apr 22 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jul 1 – Jul 28 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 25 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jun 9 – Jul 11 | Apr 22 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jun 6 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 25 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jun 29 – Jul 31 | Apr 22 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Jul 28 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 25 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jun 4 – Jul 6 | Apr 22 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jun 1 – Jul 3 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 25 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jun 4 – Jun 21 | Apr 22 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jun 1 – Jun 18 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 25 – May 9Harvest (est.) Jul 14 – Aug 17 | Apr 22 – May 6Harvest (est.) Jul 11 – Aug 14 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 25 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jun 6 – Jun 13 | Apr 22 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jun 3 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 2 – May 9Harvest (est.) Jul 6 – Jul 23 | Apr 29 – May 6Harvest (est.) Jul 3 – Jul 20 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 2 – May 9Harvest (est.) Jul 11 – Aug 7 | Apr 29 – May 6Harvest (est.) Jul 8 – Aug 4 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 1 – Aug 15Harvest (est.) Sep 20 – Oct 24 | Aug 2 – Aug 16Harvest (est.) Sep 21 – Oct 25 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 1 – Aug 15Harvest (est.) Oct 10 – Nov 13 | Aug 2 – Aug 16Harvest (est.) Oct 11 – Nov 14 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 15 – Aug 29Harvest (est.) Oct 4 – Nov 7 | Aug 16 – Aug 30Harvest (est.) Oct 5 – Nov 8 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 29 – Sep 12Harvest (est.) Oct 28 – Dec 1 | Aug 30 – Sep 13Harvest (est.) Oct 29 – Dec 2 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Sep 5 – Sep 26Harvest (est.) Oct 20 – Nov 25 | Sep 6 – Sep 27Harvest (est.) Oct 21 – Nov 26 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 12 – Sep 26Harvest (est.) Oct 2 – Oct 26 | Sep 13 – Sep 27Harvest (est.) Oct 3 – Oct 27 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 26 – Nov 7 | Sep 27 – Nov 8 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 10 – Nov 21 | Oct 11 – Nov 22 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Oct 10 – Nov 14Harvest (est.) Jun 17, 2027 – Aug 11, 2027 | Oct 11 – Nov 15Harvest (est.) Jun 18, 2027 – Aug 12, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Kentucky USDA zone guides: Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Kentucky gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Kentucky?
Across the 780 Kentucky ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Apr 15, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Apr 3 to Apr 24. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Kentucky?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 6 areas: Apr 25 – May 2; Zone 7 areas: Apr 22 – Apr 29.
What USDA zone is Kentucky?
Kentucky spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 6b–7b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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