When to plant in Paducah, KY
USDA Zone 7aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Paducah, Kentucky — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Paducah, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average last spring frost in Paducah is now 5 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
BROOKPORT DAM 52 · 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 Paducah’s own odds, recorded at BROOKPORT DAM 52.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 4 | Apr 19 | Apr 3 | Oct 6 | Oct 18 | Oct 30 |
| 32°F | Apr 23 | Apr 6 | Mar 21 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 | Nov 9 |
| 28°F | Apr 11 | Mar 27 | Mar 8 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 | Nov 21 |
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 Paducah, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 11 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.
Paducah planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Paducah, KY?
On average, the last spring frost in Paducah is around April 6 (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 Paducah, KY?
Expect Paducah's first fall frost near October 27 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Paducah in?
Paducah 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 Paducah?
There are roughly 204 frost-free days in Paducah (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 6 to the first fall frost near October 27.
When should I plant tomatoes in Paducah?
In Paducah, start tomato seeds indoors around February 9–February 23, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 13 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Paducah
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Paducah’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Murray · 58 km
- Marion · 78 km
- Union City · 80 km
- Martin · 84 km
- Cape Girardeau · 85 km
- Sikeston · 86 km
- Herrin · 88 km
- Carbondale · 89 km
Frost dates recorded at BROOKPORT DAM 52, 6 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 Paducah, KY — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00110993. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/kentucky/paducah.