When to plant in Owensboro, KY
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Owensboro, Kentucky — all computed from Owensboro's nearest NOAA weather station.
Owensboro's nearest full-normals station sits about 28 km out, so treat these as a close estimate — local microclimate can nudge your first and last frost. In zone 7a, Owensboro supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
CALHOUN LOCK 2 · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Owensboro’s own odds, recorded at CALHOUN LOCK 2.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 30 | Apr 14 | Mar 28 | Oct 10 | Oct 23 | Nov 3 |
| 32°F | Apr 20 | Apr 2 | Mar 17 | Oct 19 | Nov 1 | Nov 15 |
| 28°F | Apr 10 | Mar 23 | Mar 4 | Oct 29 | Nov 10 | Nov 30 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Owensboro, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 33 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Owensboro planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Owensboro, KY?
On average, the last spring frost in Owensboro is around April 2 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Owensboro, KY?
Expect Owensboro's first fall frost near November 1 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Owensboro in?
Owensboro is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Owensboro?
Owensboro has about 213 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 2) and first fall frost (November 1).
When should I plant tomatoes in Owensboro?
For Owensboro, sow tomatoes indoors about February 5–February 19 and move the seedlings out around April 9, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Owensboro
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Owensboro’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Henderson · 42 km
- Evansville · 45 km
- Madisonville · 58 km
- Jasper · 72 km
- Washington · 100 km
- Radcliff · 104 km
- Bowling Green · 106 km
- Hopkinsville · 107 km
Frost dates recorded at CALHOUN LOCK 2, 28 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Owensboro, KY — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00151227. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/kentucky/owensboro.