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Frost Dates for Rineyville, KY

Last spring frost
Apr 16
First fall frost
Oct 25
Growing season
191 days
Hardiness zone
7a

In an average year around Rineyville, KY, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Apr 16 and the first fall frost is about Oct 25, giving roughly a 191-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Mar 31 before setting out tender plants.

Last spring frost

Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.

Last spring frost - Rineyville, KY
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) May 13 Apr 27 Apr 12
Freeze (32°F) May 4 Apr 16 Mar 31
Hard (28°F) Apr 18 Apr 1 Mar 17
Severe (24°F) Apr 6 Mar 22 Mar 2
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F May 13 May 8 May 4 Apr 30 Apr 27 Apr 24 Apr 21 Apr 18 Apr 12
32°F May 4 Apr 27 Apr 22 Apr 19 Apr 16 Apr 12 Apr 9 Apr 5 Mar 31
28°F Apr 18 Apr 12 Apr 8 Apr 5 Apr 1 Mar 30 Mar 27 Mar 23 Mar 17
24°F Apr 6 Apr 1 Mar 29 Mar 26 Mar 22 Mar 18 Mar 14 Mar 9 Mar 2
20°F Mar 28 Mar 22 Mar 17 Mar 13 Mar 10 Mar 6 Mar 2 Feb 26 Feb 19
16°F Mar 17 Mar 12 Mar 7 Mar 2 Feb 27 Feb 22 Feb 18 Feb 10 Feb 2

First fall frost

Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.

First fall frost - Rineyville, KY
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Oct 5 Oct 16 Oct 26
Freeze (32°F) Oct 13 Oct 25 Nov 3
Hard (28°F) Oct 23 Nov 3 Nov 16
Severe (24°F) Nov 1 Nov 13 Nov 29
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Oct 5 Oct 8 Oct 11 Oct 14 Oct 16 Oct 19 Oct 21 Oct 23 Oct 26
32°F Oct 13 Oct 18 Oct 21 Oct 23 Oct 25 Oct 27 Oct 29 Oct 31 Nov 3
28°F Oct 23 Oct 27 Oct 30 Nov 1 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 7 Nov 11 Nov 16
24°F Nov 1 Nov 4 Nov 7 Nov 10 Nov 13 Nov 16 Nov 19 Nov 23 Nov 29
20°F Nov 7 Nov 12 Nov 16 Nov 20 Nov 24 Nov 28 Dec 1 Dec 5 Dec 12
16°F Nov 16 Nov 23 Nov 28 Dec 2 Dec 6 Dec 11 Dec 17 Dec 24 Dec 30

Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.

Where this data comes from

These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Elizabethtown Wp Cs, Ky, about 10.1 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 690 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.

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How we calculate these dates

Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Rineyville, KY?

On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Rineyville, KY is about Apr 16. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Mar 31.

When is the first frost in the fall?

The first fall frost around Rineyville, KY typically arrives about Oct 25. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.

When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?

Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Apr 16 on average, or Mar 31 to be safe most years.

How long is the growing season here?

The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 191 days in a typical year.

Are these dates a forecast for this year?

No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.

Local weather for 40162 Planting calendar → Kentucky frost dates →

Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026