FrostCal

When to Plant Cosmos in Kentucky

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 15 – Mar 22, then sow outdoors Apr 19 – May 3, then transplant outdoors Apr 19 – Apr 26. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 7 in Louisville and as late as May 8 in Shelbyville.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 60–90 days

Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.

Cosmos Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
LouisvilleMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
LexingtonMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
Lexington-FayetteMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
MeadsMar 25 – Apr 1Apr 29 – May 13Apr 29 – May 6
Bowling GreenMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Apr 12 – Apr 19
OwensboroMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
CovingtonMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 23 – May 7Apr 23 – Apr 30
RichmondMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
GeorgetownMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
FlorenceMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 25 – May 9Apr 25 – May 2
HopkinsvilleMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
NicholasvilleMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 14 – Apr 28Apr 14 – Apr 21
ElizabethtownMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 23 – May 7Apr 23 – Apr 30
HendersonMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
FrankfortMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
JeffersontownMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
IndependenceMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 25 – May 9Apr 25 – May 2
PaducahMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
Valley StationMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
RadcliffMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 23 – May 7Apr 23 – Apr 30
AshlandMar 25 – Apr 1Apr 29 – May 13Apr 29 – May 6
NewburgMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
MadisonvilleMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
MurrayMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Apr 12 – Apr 19
ErlangerMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 25 – May 9Apr 25 – May 2
WinchesterMar 23 – Mar 30Apr 27 – May 11Apr 27 – May 4
Fern CreekMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
Saint MatthewsMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
OkolonaMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
DanvilleMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23

Showing the 30 most populous of 52 Kentucky cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kentucky cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cosmos in Kentucky?

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 15 – Mar 22, then sow outdoors Apr 19 – May 3, then transplant outdoors Apr 19 – Apr 26. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 7 in Louisville and as late as May 8 in Shelbyville.

When is the last frost in Kentucky?

The average last spring frost in Kentucky ranges from March 31 in Louisville to May 1 in Shelbyville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cosmos take to grow?

Cosmos typically take 60–90 days from planting to harvest. Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.

Other Crops in Kentucky

When to plant cosmos in other states

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