Louisville, KY planting zone & frost dates
Louisville is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 31 and the first fall frost around November 9, for a growing season of about 225 days.
Planting calendar for Louisville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 31) 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 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 14 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 14 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 14 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 9).
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 14 | Mar 31 | Apr 14 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 25 | Nov 9 | Oct 31 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 14, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 31. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 18.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Louisville
- 40201 zone 7a
- 40202 zone 7a
- 40203 zone 7a
- 40204 zone 7a
- 40205 zone 7a
- 40206 zone 7a
- 40207 zone 7a
- 40208 zone 7a
- 40209 zone 7a
- 40210 zone 7a
- 40211 zone 7a
- 40212 zone 7a
- 40213 zone 7a
- 40214 zone 7a
- 40215 zone 7a
- 40216 zone 7a
- 40217 zone 7a
- 40218 zone 7a
- 40219 zone 7a
- 40220 zone 7a
- 40221 zone 7a
- 40222 zone 7a
- 40223 zone 7a
- 40224 zone 7a
- 40225 zone 7a
- 40228 zone 7a
- 40229 zone 7a
- 40231 zone 7a
- 40232 zone 7a
- 40233 zone 7a
- 40241 zone 7a
- 40242 zone 7a
- 40243 zone 7a
- 40245 zone 7a
- 40250 zone 7a
- 40251 zone 7a
- 40252 zone 7a
- 40253 zone 7a
- 40255 zone 7a
- 40256 zone 7a
- 40257 zone 7a
- 40258 zone 7a
- 40259 zone 7a
- 40261 zone 7a
- 40266 zone 7a
- 40268 zone 7a
- 40269 zone 7a
- 40270 zone 7a
- 40272 zone 7a
- 40280 zone 7a
- 40281 zone 7a
- 40282 zone 7a
- 40283 zone 7a
- 40285 zone 7a
- 40287 zone 7a
- 40289 zone 7a
- 40290 zone 7a
- 40291 zone 7a
- 40293 zone 7a
- 40294 zone 7a
- 40295 zone 7a
- 40296 zone 7a
- 40297 zone 7a
- 40298 zone 7a
- 40299 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Shively zone 7a, last frost Mar 31
- Saint Matthews zone 7a, last frost Apr 3
- Okolona zone 7a, last frost Apr 6
- Newburg zone 7a, last frost Apr 6
- Lyndon zone 7a, last frost Apr 3
- Highview zone 7a, last frost Apr 6
- Valley Station zone 7a, last frost Mar 31
- Fern Creek zone 7a, last frost Apr 6
Questions
What growing zone is Louisville, KY?
Louisville 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 Louisville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Louisville is March 31. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 14.
When can I plant tomatoes in Louisville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 7 – Apr 14. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Louisville Mcalpine, KY (USC00154955), 3.8 km (2.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 134 m, based on 10 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.