Benton, KY Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Benton garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 19
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
193 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 27 Apr 9 Apr 28
First fall frost Oct 29 Oct 19 Oct 6
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 31 · first Oct 28

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the BENTON station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Benton

Computed from Benton's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 12 – Feb 26 Apr 16 – Apr 23
🫑 Peppers Jan 29 – Feb 12 Apr 23 – Apr 30
🥬 Lettuce Feb 26 – Mar 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26 Mar 12 – Apr 9
🫛 Peas Feb 26 – Mar 12
🥕 Carrots Mar 19 – Apr 9
🥦 Broccoli Feb 19 – Mar 5 Mar 19 – Apr 2
🥬 Kale Feb 26 – Mar 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26 Mar 12 – Mar 26
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 12 – Mar 19 Apr 16 – Apr 23 Apr 16 – Apr 23
🥒 Zucchini Mar 12 – Mar 19 Apr 16 – Apr 23 Apr 16 – Apr 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 16 – Apr 23
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 16 – Apr 23
🌿 Basil Feb 26 – Mar 12 Apr 16 – Apr 23 Apr 23 – Apr 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 7 – Oct 5

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Benton's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Benton

Roughly 193 frost-free days gives Benton gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 9; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 19 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Benton, KY?

The average last spring frost in Benton is around Apr 9, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Benton, KY?

The average first fall frost in Benton arrives around Oct 19. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Benton?

About 193 frost-free days on average, from Apr 9 to Oct 19. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Benton in?

USDA zone 7a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.