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Planting Calendar for Lexington, KY

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The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on October 23 (at LEXINGTON BLUEGRASS AP, KY climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Sep 4-Oct 9
Moon Sep 4-17, Oct 2-9
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 31-Aug 28
Moon Jul 31-Aug 3, Aug 20-28
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Aug 14-Sep 4
Moon Aug 14-19, Sep 2-4
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jul 24-31
Frost Aug 14-28
Moon Aug 14-19
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jul 3-17
Moon Jul 5-17
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jul 24-31
Frost Aug 14-21
Moon Aug 14-19
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Aug 7-14
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jul 17-24
Moon Jul 17-21
Frost Jul 31-Aug 7
Moon Aug 4-7
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 31-Aug 28
Moon Aug 4-19
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jul 24-Aug 7
Moon Aug 4-7
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Nov 5-19
Moon Nov 16-19
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Aug 7-21
Moon Aug 7-19
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Aug 14-28
Moon Aug 14-19
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Aug 21-Sep 11
Moon Sep 2-11
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Aug 14-28
Moon Aug 14-19
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Aug 21-Sep 11
Moon Sep 2-11
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Aug 14-28
Moon Aug 14-19
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Sep 11-25
Moon Sep 18-25
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Sep 4-25
Moon Sep 4-17
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Aug 14-28
Moon Aug 14-19
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Aug 21-Sep 4
Moon Aug 21-Sep 1
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on April 20 (at LEXINGTON BLUEGRASS AP, KY climate station, elevation 980 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost Mar 30-Apr 13
Moon Apr 8-13
Frost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 23-25
Sep 25
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 6-7
Apr 20
BasilFrost Mar 8-23
Frost May 4-18
Moon May 7-18
Frost May 4-18
Moon May 7-18
Sep 11
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 6-7
Frost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 26-30
May 4
Bell PeppersFrost Feb 9-23
Moon Feb 9-23
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
N/AJul 31
Bok ChoyFrost Mar 8-23
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Jun 1
BroccoliFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 8-20
Frost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 23-25
Aug 21
Brussels SproutsFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 8-20
Frost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 23-25
Jul 17
CabbageFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 8-20
Frost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 23-25
Apr 27
CantaloupesFrost Mar 30-Apr 13
Moon Apr 8-13
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 20-23
Frost Apr 27-May 4
Jul 17
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 26-Apr 6
Aug 14
CauliflowerFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 13-23
N/AAug 7
CeleryFrost Jan 26-Feb 9
Moon Feb 9
Frost Apr 27-May 11
Moon May 7-11
Frost Apr 20
Moon Apr 20
Aug 14
ChivesFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost Mar 30-Apr 6
Frost Mar 30-Apr 6
Aug 28
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 20-23
May 11
CollardsFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 8-20
Frost Mar 30-Apr 6
Aug 14
CucumbersFrost Mar 30-Apr 6
Frost Apr 27-May 11
Moon May 7-11
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Aug 14
DillN/AN/AFrost Apr 13-May 4
Moon Apr 13-23
Aug 28
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Jul 17
EggplantsFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
N/AAug 14
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 23-25
May 4
FennelFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Apr 27-May 4
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 20-23
Aug 7
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 27-May 18
Moon May 7-18
Aug 14
Honeydew MelonsFrost Mar 30-Apr 6
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Jul 24
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Feb 9-23
Moon Feb 9-23
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
N/A
KaleFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 8-20
Frost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 23-25
May 4
KohlrabiFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Mar 30-Apr 6
Frost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 23-25
May 4
LeeksFrost Feb 9-23
Moon Feb 9-23
Frost Mar 30-Apr 13
Moon Apr 8-13
N/AJul 10
LettuceFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Mar 30-Apr 6
Frost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 23-25
May 4
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-25
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Frost May 4-18
Moon May 7-18
Aug 14
OnionsN/AFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 26-Apr 6
N/AJul 17
OreganoFrost Feb 9-Mar 8
Moon Feb 9-24
Frost Apr 27-May 11
Moon May 7-11
N/AAug 14
ParsleyFrost Feb 9-23
Moon Feb 9-23
Frost Apr 27-May 11
Moon May 7-11
Frost Mar 23-Apr 27
Moon Mar 23-25, Apr 8-23
Aug 7
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 26-30
Jul 17
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost May 11-25
Moon May 24-25
PeasN/AN/AFrost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 23-25
May 4
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 26-Apr 6
Aug 14
PumpkinsFrost Mar 30-Apr 13
Moon Apr 8-13
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Jul 10
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 26-30
Aug 28
RosemaryFrost Jan 26-Feb 9
Moon Feb 9
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
N/AAug 28
SageFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost Apr 27-May 11
Moon May 7-11
N/AAug 7
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 26-Apr 6
Jul 17
SpinachFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Mar 30-Apr 6
Frost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 23-25
May 4
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 4-18
Moon May 7-18
Aug 7
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 4-18
Moon May 4-6
Jul 10
Swiss ChardFrost Mar 8-23
Frost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 8-20
Frost Mar 30-Apr 20
Moon Apr 8-20
May 4
ThymeFrost Feb 9-23
Moon Feb 9-23
Frost Apr 27-May 4
N/AJul 31
TomatillosFrost Mar 8-23
Frost May 4-18
Moon May 7-18
N/AAug 7
TomatoesFrost Feb 23-Mar 8
Moon Feb 23-24
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
N/AJul 24
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 23-30
Moon Mar 26-30
Sep 25
WatermelonsFrost Mar 30-Apr 13
Moon Apr 8-13
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Frost Apr 27-May 4
Jul 24
Winter SquashFrost Mar 30-Apr 6
Frost Apr 27-May 11
Moon May 7-11
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Jul 3
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Mar 30-Apr 6
Frost Apr 27-May 11
Moon May 7-11
Frost May 4-11
Moon May 7-11
Aug 21
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