When to plant in Richmond, KY
USDA Zone 7aRichmond, Kentucky frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 7a, Richmond supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIV · 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 Richmond’s own odds, recorded at EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIV.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 8 | Apr 23 | Apr 12 | Oct 3 | Oct 14 | Oct 25 |
| 32°F | Apr 30 | Apr 15 | Mar 31 | Oct 10 | Oct 22 | Nov 4 |
| 28°F | Apr 17 | Apr 3 | Mar 20 | Oct 18 | Nov 1 | Nov 18 |
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 Richmond, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 26 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.
Richmond planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Richmond, KY?
Richmond's average last spring frost falls near April 15 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Richmond, KY?
Expect Richmond's first fall frost near October 22 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Richmond in?
Richmond 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 Richmond?
Richmond has about 190 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 15) and first fall frost (October 22).
When should I plant tomatoes in Richmond?
For Richmond, sow tomatoes indoors about February 18–March 4 and move the seedlings out around April 22, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Richmond
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Richmond’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Berea · 16 km
- Nicholasville · 30 km
- Winchester · 32 km
- Lexington-Fayette urban county · 37 km
- Danville · 43 km
- Versailles · 52 km
- Paris · 52 km
- Georgetown · 63 km
Frost dates recorded at EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIV, 4 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 Richmond, KY — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00152409. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/kentucky/richmond.