Lexington, KY planting zone & frost dates
Lexington is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 13 and the first fall frost around October 28, for a growing season of about 196 days.
Planting calendar for Lexington
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 13) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 2 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 28).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 30 | Apr 13 | May 1 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 8 | Oct 28 | Oct 16 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 1, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 16. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 31.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Lexington
- 40502 zone 7a
- 40503 zone 7a
- 40504 zone 7a
- 40505 zone 7a
- 40507 zone 7a
- 40508 zone 7a
- 40509 zone 7a
- 40510 zone 7a
- 40511 zone 7a
- 40512 zone 7a
- 40513 zone 7a
- 40514 zone 7a
- 40515 zone 7a
- 40516 zone 7a
- 40517 zone 7a
- 40522 zone 7a
- 40523 zone 7a
- 40524 zone 7a
- 40533 zone 7a
- 40536 zone 7a
- 40544 zone 7a
- 40546 zone 7a
- 40550 zone 7a
- 40555 zone 7a
- 40574 zone 7a
- 40575 zone 7a
- 40576 zone 7a
- 40577 zone 7a
- 40578 zone 7a
- 40579 zone 7a
- 40580 zone 7a
- 40581 zone 7a
- 40582 zone 7a
- 40583 zone 7a
- 40588 zone 7a
- 40591 zone 7a
- 40598 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Lexington-Fayette zone 7a, last frost Apr 13
- Nicholasville zone 7a, last frost Apr 7
- Georgetown zone 6b, last frost Apr 13
- Winchester zone 7a, last frost Apr 20
- Richmond zone 7a, last frost Apr 15
- Lawrenceburg zone 6b, last frost Apr 12
- Frankfort zone 6b, last frost Apr 15
- Danville zone 7a, last frost Apr 9
Questions
What growing zone is Lexington, KY?
Lexington is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Lexington?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Lexington is April 13. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 1.
When can I plant tomatoes in Lexington?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 20 – Apr 27. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Lexington Bluegrass Ap, KY (USW00093820), 12.6 km (7.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 299 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.