FrostCal

When to Plant Zucchini in Kentucky

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 22 – Mar 29, 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 45–55 days

Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Zucchini Planting Dates by City

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

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 22 – Mar 29, 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 zucchini take to grow?

Zucchini typically take 45–55 days from planting to harvest. Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Other Crops in Kentucky

When to plant zucchini in other states

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