Manchester 4 W, KY Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Manchester 4 W garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 29
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 16
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
170 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 13 Apr 29 May 13
First fall frost Oct 27 Oct 16 Oct 4
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 17 · first Oct 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MANCHESTER 4 W 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 Manchester 4 W

Computed from Manchester 4 W'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 Mar 4 – Mar 18 May 6 – May 13
🫑 Peppers Feb 18 – Mar 4 May 13 – May 20
🥬 Lettuce Mar 18 – Apr 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 1 – Apr 29
🫛 Peas Mar 18 – Apr 1
🥕 Carrots Apr 8 – Apr 29
🥦 Broccoli Mar 11 – Mar 25 Apr 8 – Apr 22
🥬 Kale Mar 18 – Apr 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 1 – Apr 15
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 1 – Apr 8 May 6 – May 13 May 6 – May 13
🥒 Zucchini Apr 1 – Apr 8 May 6 – May 13 May 6 – May 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 6 – May 13
🌽 Sweet Corn May 6 – May 13
🌿 Basil Mar 18 – Apr 1 May 6 – May 13 May 13 – May 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 4 – Oct 2

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 Manchester 4 W's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Manchester 4 W

Roughly 170 frost-free days gives Manchester 4 W gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 29; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 16 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Manchester 4 W, KY?

The average last spring frost in Manchester 4 W is around Apr 29, 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 Manchester 4 W, KY?

The average first fall frost in Manchester 4 W arrives around Oct 16. 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 Manchester 4 W?

About 170 frost-free days on average, from Apr 29 to Oct 16. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Manchester 4 W 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.