Lexington, KY Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 13
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
198 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
6b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 30 Apr 13 May 1
First fall frost Nov 8 Oct 28 Oct 16
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 31 · first Nov 6

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Lexington Bluegrass Airport station (9 km from central Lexington). "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 Lexington

Computed from Lexington's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 16 – Mar 2 Apr 20 – Apr 27
🫑 Peppers Feb 2 – Feb 16 Apr 27 – May 4
🥬 Lettuce Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30 Mar 16 – Apr 13
🫛 Peas Mar 2 – Mar 16
🥕 Carrots Mar 23 – Apr 13
🥦 Broccoli Feb 23 – Mar 9 Mar 23 – Apr 6
🥬 Kale Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30 Mar 16 – Mar 30
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 16 – Mar 23 Apr 20 – Apr 27 Apr 20 – Apr 27
🥒 Zucchini Mar 16 – Mar 23 Apr 20 – Apr 27 Apr 20 – Apr 27
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 20 – Apr 27
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 20 – Apr 27
🌿 Basil Mar 2 – Mar 16 Apr 20 – Apr 27 Apr 27 – May 4
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 16 – Oct 14

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 Lexington's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Lexington

Roughly 198 frost-free days gives Lexington gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 13; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 28 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Lexington, KY?

The average last spring frost in Lexington is around Apr 13, 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 Lexington, KY?

The average first fall frost in Lexington arrives around Oct 28. 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 Lexington?

About 198 frost-free days on average, from Apr 13 to Oct 28. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Lexington in?

USDA zone 6b 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.