FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Kentucky

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Feb 15 – Mar 1, 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 Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
LouisvilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 7 – Apr 14
LexingtonFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 20 – Apr 27
Lexington-FayetteFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 20 – Apr 27
MeadsFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
Bowling GreenFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 12 – Apr 19
OwensboroFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
CovingtonFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
RichmondFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
GeorgetownFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 20 – Apr 27
FlorenceFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
HopkinsvilleFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
NicholasvilleFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 14 – Apr 21
ElizabethtownFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
HendersonFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
FrankfortFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
JeffersontownFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
IndependenceFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
PaducahFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
Valley StationFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 7 – Apr 14
RadcliffFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
AshlandFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
NewburgFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
MadisonvilleFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
MurrayFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 12 – Apr 19
ErlangerFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
WinchesterFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
Fern CreekFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
Saint MatthewsFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
OkolonaFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
DanvilleFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 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 tomatoes in Kentucky?

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Feb 15 – Mar 1, 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 tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Kentucky

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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