Louisville, KY Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Louisville

No planting windows from our rules fall in October; see the month-by-month list below.

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Apr 6, 50% risk), balanced = Apr 13 (30%), safe = Apr 23 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

Before sowing, check the soil too. CSU recommends taking its temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans). Since NOAA publishes no soil-temperature normals, we give CSU's minimum soil temperature for each crop rather than a date.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Louisville

What to plant in Louisville in January

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Jan 26 – Feb 9)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Jan 26 – Feb 9)

What to plant in Louisville in February

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Feb 9–23)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 23 – Mar 16)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Jan 26 – Feb 9)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Jan 26 – Feb 9)

What to plant in Louisville in March

• Start pepper seeds indoors (Mar 2–16)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 15–29)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 23 – Mar 16)

What to plant in Louisville in April

• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Apr 6–23)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6–23)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6–23)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Apr 6–23)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Apr 9)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 23 – Apr 23)

What to plant in Louisville in May

• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (May 3–7)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 20 – May 7)

What to plant in Louisville in June

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 6–20)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 26 – Jul 10)

What to plant in Louisville in July

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Jul 25)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 26 – Jul 10)

What to plant in Louisville in August

• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Aug 5)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Aug 9)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Aug 10)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Aug 14)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 14)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Aug 15)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Aug 19)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Aug 19)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Aug 19)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Aug 19)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Aug 29)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Aug 29)

What to plant in Louisville in September

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Sep 8)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Sep 18)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Louisville

Very tender crop. Two CSU Extension rules set the timing for tomatoes: at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, and nights above 52°F. In Louisville, the frost rule alone would allow about Apr 20, but the average nightly low at Louisville first rises above 52°F on May 3. With both rules, the dates are about May 3 (typical date), May 3 (balanced) or May 7 (safer 10% date). Sow seeds indoors Mar 15–29, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on May 3. CSU notes that nights under 55°F hurt fruit set. The normal low at Louisville climbs to 55°F on May 12. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for tomato plants is 65 days. Set out on May 3, they would start producing around Jul 7, 117 days before the typical first frost (Nov 1).

When to plant peppers in Louisville

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost), set peppers out around Apr 20 with the typical date, Apr 27 for a balanced choice, or May 7 with the safer 10% date. Sow seeds indoors Mar 2–16, 6–8 weeks before transplanting on Apr 27. CSU notes that nights under 55°F hurt fruit set. The normal low at Louisville climbs to 55°F on May 12. Set out on Apr 27, pepper plants would start producing around Jul 6, based on CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 118 days before the typical first frost (Nov 1).

When to plant potatoes in Louisville

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, potatoes can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 in Louisville (typical date) or Apr 9–23 (safer date). The soil should be at least 45°F.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Louisville

Hardy crop. Per CSU, onions (dry, from sets) can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For Louisville, that works out to roughly Mar 9–23 (typical date) or Mar 26 – Apr 9 (safer date).

When to plant peas in Louisville

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 9–23 in Louisville using the typical date, or Mar 26 – Apr 9 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 14, or by Aug 3 to be safe. That's 79 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Louisville

Hardy crop. Per CSU, lettuce (leaf) can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For Louisville, that works out to roughly Mar 9–23 (typical date) or Mar 26 – Apr 9 (safer date). For a fall crop, sow by Aug 19, or by Aug 8 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Louisville

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, carrots can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 in Louisville (typical date) or Apr 9–23 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, count back 84 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 9, or by Jul 29 to be safe.

When to plant beans (snap) in Louisville

Tender crop. CSU says to sow beans (snap) around the average last frost, about Apr 6 in Louisville. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 23. Seeds need soil of at least 55°F. For fall, sow by Aug 5 (Jul 25 to be safe), which is 88 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Louisville

Tender crop. Sow summer squash around the average last frost, per CSU: about Apr 6 in Louisville. Waiting until Apr 23 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 78 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 15, or by Aug 4 to be safe.

When to plant broccoli in Louisville

Hardy crop. Per CSU, broccoli can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Louisville, that works out to roughly Mar 9–23 (typical date) or Mar 26 – Apr 9 (safer date). Set out on Mar 16, broccoli plants would start producing around May 20, based on CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 165 days before the typical first frost (Nov 1). For a fall crop, set broccoli transplants out by Aug 14. That's UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Nov 1), using CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest. If you grow your own transplants, start seeds Jun 26 – Jul 10 (CSU: 5–7 weeks to transplant size).

When to plant cabbage in Louisville

Hardy crop. Per CSU, cabbage can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Louisville, that works out to roughly Mar 9–23 (typical date) or Mar 26 – Apr 9 (safer date). Set out on Mar 16, cabbage plants would start producing around Jun 9, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 145 days before the typical first frost (Nov 1). For a fall crop, set cabbage transplants out by Jul 25. That's UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Nov 1), using CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest. If you grow your own transplants, start seeds Jun 6–20 (CSU: 5–7 weeks to transplant size).

When to plant cauliflower in Louisville

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says cauliflower can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Louisville, that's roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the typical date, or Apr 9–23 going by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in Louisville

Hardy crop. Per CSU, kohlrabi can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Louisville, that works out to roughly Mar 9–23 (typical date) or Mar 26 – Apr 9 (safer date). For fall, sow by Aug 29 (Aug 18 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Louisville

Hardy crop. Per CSU, green onions can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For Louisville, that works out to roughly Mar 9–23 (typical date) or Mar 26 – Apr 9 (safer date). For a fall crop, sow by Aug 19, or by Aug 8 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Louisville

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 9–23 in Louisville using the typical date, or Mar 26 – Apr 9 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 18, or by Sep 7 to be safe. That's 44 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Louisville

Hardy crop. Per CSU, spinach can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Louisville, that works out to roughly Mar 9–23 (typical date) or Mar 26 – Apr 9 (safer date). For a fall crop, sow by Sep 8, or by Aug 28 to be safe. That's 54 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Louisville

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Louisville, that's roughly Mar 9–23 going by the typical date, or Mar 26 – Apr 9 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 29 (Aug 18 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Louisville

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says beets can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Louisville, that's roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the typical date, or Apr 9–23 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 19, or by Aug 8 to be safe.

When to plant swiss chard in Louisville

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says swiss chard can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Louisville, that's roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the typical date, or Apr 9–23 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 19 (Aug 8 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Louisville

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says parsnips can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 35°F. In Louisville, that's roughly Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the typical date, or Apr 9–23 going by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Louisville

Tender crop. CSU says to sow sweet corn around the average last frost, about Apr 6 in Louisville. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 23. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Louisville

Tender crop. Sow cucumbers around the average last frost, per CSU: about Apr 6 in Louisville. Waiting until Apr 23 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 10, or by Jul 30 to be safe. That's 83 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Louisville

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set eggplant out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 20 using the typical date, Apr 27 as a balanced choice, or May 7 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Feb 23 – Mar 16, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on Apr 27. Set out on Apr 27, eggplant plants would start producing around Jun 26, based on CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 128 days before the typical first frost (Nov 1).

When to plant cantaloupe in Louisville

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant cantaloupe at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 20 using the typical date, Apr 27 as a balanced choice, or May 7 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Louisville

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant watermelon around Apr 20 at the earliest, Apr 27 as a balanced choice, or May 7 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Louisville

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant winter squash 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Apr 20 (typical date), Apr 27 (balanced) or May 7 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Louisville?

Tomatoes: Mar 15–29. Peppers: Mar 2–16. Both windows count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Louisville?

CSU Extension's rules for tomatoes are 2+ weeks after the average last frost and nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would allow about Apr 20 here, but the average nightly low at Louisville isn't above 52°F until May 3. With both rules, the dates are about May 3 at the earliest, May 3 as a balanced choice, or May 7 to be safe.

What can I plant in Louisville in the fall?

Counting back from the typical first frost (Nov 1) with UNL Extension's method: peas by Aug 14; lettuce (leaf) by Aug 19; carrots by Aug 9; beans (snap) by Aug 5; summer squash by Aug 15; broccoli by Aug 14 (transplants); cabbage by Jul 25 (transplants); kohlrabi by Aug 29; green onions by Aug 19; radishes by Sep 18; spinach by Sep 8; turnips by Aug 29; beets by Aug 19; swiss chard by Aug 19; cucumbers by Aug 10.

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