Paducah, KY planting zone & frost dates
Paducah is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 6 and the first fall frost around October 27, for a growing season of about 203 days.
Planting calendar for Paducah
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 6) 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 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 1 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 27).
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 21 | Apr 6 | Apr 23 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 9 | Oct 27 | Oct 15 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 23, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 15. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 27.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Paducah
- 42001 zone 7a
- 42002 zone 7a
- 42003 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Mayfield zone 7b, last frost Apr 9
- Murray zone 7b, last frost Apr 5
- Madisonville zone 7a, last frost Apr 2
- Hopkinsville zone 7a, last frost Apr 4
- Fort Campbell North zone 7a, last frost Apr 6
- Henderson zone 7a, last frost Apr 9
- Owensboro zone 7a, last frost Apr 3
- Bowling Green zone 7a, last frost Apr 5
Questions
What growing zone is Paducah, KY?
Paducah 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 Paducah?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Paducah is April 6. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 23.
When can I plant tomatoes in Paducah?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 13 – Apr 20. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Brookport Dam 52, IL (USC00110993), 6.8 km (4.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 101 m, based on 26 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.