Planting calendar for Lexington, Kentucky

Dates from 30 years of records at the Lexington Bluegrass Airport weather station, 8.0 miles from Lexington, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Lexington at a glance

Weather station: Lexington Bluegrass Airport · 8.0 mi
USDA zone: 7a
Last spring frost: typically Apr 13; 1 year in 10 after May 1
First fall frost: typically Oct 28; 1 year in 10 before Oct 16
Frost-free season: about 198 days
Hottest month: July: highs 87°F, nights 66°F
Coldest month: January: highs 42°F, nights 25°F
Rain: 50 in. a year, most in May, June and July

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Lexington typically comes around Apr 13, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 1. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 28. That leaves about 198 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Lexington gets about 50 inches of rain a year, most of it in May, June and July.

157 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 17 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Lexington, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsley

February1

Best time to plant

Fruit: Blueberry

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Catnip, Feverfew, Lovage, Sage, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

March53

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Celery, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Milkweed (native), Strawflower

April68

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Popcorn, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Salsify, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chives, Epazote, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Winter savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Grape (bunch), Ground cherry, Strawberry

Flowers: Calendula, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Beet, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Collard greens, Daikon radish, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Rhubarb, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Watercress, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Sunflower

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Sweet potato, Basil, Marjoram, Oregano, Thyme, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May23

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (lima), Edamame, Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Pumpkin, Purslane, Salsify, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winter melon / wax gourd

Herbs: Basil, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lovage, Marjoram, Papalo, Rosemary, Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native)

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Asparagus, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Popcorn, Potato, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Turnip, Watercress, Winter squash, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Epazote, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Sorrel (French / garden), Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Winter savory, Blackberry, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice

June47

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Stevia, Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Statice, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower

July53

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Culantro, Parsley

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Turnip, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Stock

August38

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Calendula, Nasturtium, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Arugula, Garden cress, Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Chervil, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

September14

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Broccoli raab (rapini), Garden cress, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Turnip

Flowers: Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Lexington

157 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 7–21, Aug 10–30	May 22–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 9–29	May 6–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 30–Apr 13	Apr 14–20	Jan 26–Feb 9	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 8–Apr 14, Aug 31–Sep 20	Mar 2–7, Apr 15–26, Jul 22–Aug 30	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 23–Aug 13	May 6–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Apr 21–May 5, Jun 18–Jul 9	May 6–Jun 17	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 7–21, Jun 24–Jul 14	May 22–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 13–Aug 3	May 6–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 16–Apr 6, Aug 8–29	Apr 7–May 11, Jun 24–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 11–Aug 1	May 6–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 30–Apr 14, Aug 9–22	—	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 26–Jun 9	Jun 10–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 16–30, Aug 1–21	Mar 31–Apr 18, Jul 9–31	Feb 2–16, Jun 20–Jul 10	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 16–Apr 9, Aug 25–Sep 8	Apr 10–16, Jul 24–Aug 24	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 16–22, Jul 13–Aug 3	Jun 6–Jul 12	Feb 2–8, Jun 1–22	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 9–23, Jul 19–Aug 9	Mar 24–Apr 22, Jun 20–Jul 18	Jan 26–Feb 9, Jun 7–28	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 17–May 1	May 2–Jun 15	Feb 13–27	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 23–Apr 13, Jul 29–Aug 19	Apr 14–May 4, Jun 16–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 18–Aug 7	Apr 7–22, Jul 14–17	Feb 9–23, Jun 6–26	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Mar 30–Apr 13, Jun 14–Jul 5	Apr 14–Jun 13	Jan 12–26, Mar 29–Apr 19	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 6–20, Jun 10–Jul 1	Apr 21–Jun 9	Jan 19–Feb 2, Mar 25–Apr 15	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Mar 23–Apr 6	Apr 7–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 23–Apr 13, Aug 6–26	Apr 14–May 25, Jun 3–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 16–30, Aug 12–Sep 2	Mar 31–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 16–Aug 6	May 6–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 14–Aug 3	May 6–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 9–29	Apr 7–14	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 7–21, Jun 26–Jul 16	May 22–Jun 25	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 7–21, Jun 29–Jul 19	May 22–Jun 28	Mar 5–19, Apr 27–May 17	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 7–Nov 11	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Mar 30–Apr 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Mar 30–Apr 28, Sep 9–24	Apr 29–May 11, Aug 7–Sep 8	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 7–Nov 11	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 11–29	May 26–Jun 10, Jun 30–Jul 2	Apr 23–May 11	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 16–30	Mar 31–May 11	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Mar 2–23, Aug 25–Sep 14	Mar 24–May 11, Jun 23–Aug 24	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 16–30, Aug 16–Sep 5	Mar 31–May 12, Jul 13–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 31–Sep 13	Apr 13–25, Jun 22–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 16–30, Jul 3–24	Mar 31–Apr 9, May 5–Jul 2	Jan 12–26, May 1–22	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 16–Apr 12, Aug 23–Sep 10	Apr 13–18, Jul 14–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 23–Apr 7	Jul 14–Aug 24	Feb 16–Mar 3	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 26–Jun 9	Jun 10–17	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Mar 16–Apr 4, Aug 29–Sep 22	—	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	May 26–Jun 9, Jul 6–21	Jun 10–Jul 5	Apr 7–21, May 18–Jun 2	Set out plants
Moringa	May 26–Jun 9	Jun 10–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 4–Apr 8, Sep 3–18	Mar 2–3, Apr 9–21, Jul 29–Sep 2	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jul 25–Aug 19	Jun 29–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 16–Aug 5	May 6–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	May 26–Jun 9	Jun 10–Jul 21	—	Set out plants
Okra	May 26–Jun 9, Jul 14–Aug 2	Jun 10–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 2–30, Jun 7–Jul 15	Mar 31–Jun 6	Mar 22–Apr 29, Dec 15–Jan 12	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 23–Apr 7	—	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 2–16, Aug 6–26	Mar 17–Apr 22, Jul 14–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 2–16, Aug 6–26	Mar 17–Apr 20, Jul 12–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Apr 27–May 11, Jun 21–Jul 12	May 12–Jun 20	Feb 23–Mar 9, Apr 19–May 10	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Apr 27–May 11, Jul 1–22	May 12–Jun 30	Feb 23–Mar 9, Apr 29–May 20	Set out plants
Popcorn	Apr 21–28	Apr 29–Jun 26	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Mar 18–Apr 10, Jun 7–Jul 11	Mar 16–17, Apr 11–Jun 6	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Apr 21–May 5, May 27–Jun 17	May 6–26	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 7–21, Jul 22–Aug 12	May 22–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 16–23	—	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 14–Apr 20, Sep 10–Oct 2	Mar 9–13, Apr 21–May 9, Aug 5–Sep 9	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 16–Apr 2	Apr 3–20	—	Set out plants
Salsify	Mar 23–Apr 13, May 25–Jun 15	Apr 14–May 24	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 26–Jun 14	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Mar 2–16, Jul 8–29	Mar 17–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 26–Jun 9, Jun 26–Jul 17	Jun 10–25	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Mar 2–30, Sep 8–27	Mar 31–Apr 18, Aug 9–Sep 7	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 19–Aug 8	May 6–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 4–25	Mar 23–Apr 3, Apr 26–May 4	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 21–28, Jul 1–21	Apr 29–Jun 30	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	May 26–Jun 17	—	Apr 7–29	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 23–Apr 13, Aug 13–Sep 3	Apr 14–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Jul 19	Mar 10–24	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 16–Aug 5	May 6–Jul 15	Mar 3–17, May 28–Jun 17	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 20–27, Jul 21–Aug 10	Apr 28–Jul 20	Mar 2–9, Jun 2–22	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 7–21, Jul 3–24	May 22–Jul 2	Mar 19–Apr 2, May 15–Jun 5	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 3–24	May 6–Jul 2	Mar 3–17, May 15–Jun 5	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 1–21	May 6–Jun 30	Mar 3–17, May 13–Jun 2	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 16–30, Aug 18–Sep 8	Mar 31–May 12, Jul 13–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 23–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 18	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 26–Jun 9	Jun 10–17	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 7–21, May 27–Jun 17	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Apr 21–May 5, Jun 6–27	May 6–Jun 5	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 26–Jun 9, Jul 1–22	Jun 10–30	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Apr 13–30	May 1–Jun 8	Feb 27–Mar 16	Set out plants
Basil	May 7–14, Jul 14–Aug 3	May 15–Jul 13	Apr 2–9, Jun 9–29	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Apr 13–30	May 1–Jun 8	Feb 23–Mar 12	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 6–30, Jul 8–Aug 20	May 1–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 19–Aug 9	Apr 7–26, Jun 2–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 30–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 11	Feb 9–Mar 2	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 16–30, Aug 3–24	Mar 31–May 6, Jun 16–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 23–Apr 6	Apr 7–14, Aug 9–Sep 8	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Apr 13–29	Apr 30–Jun 8	Feb 23–Mar 11	Set out plants
Cilantro	Aug 15–31	Mar 30–Apr 10, Jul 17–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 4–Jul 2	May 7–Jun 3	—	Set out plants
Culantro	May 26–Jun 9, Jul 8–21	Jun 10–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 30–Apr 6, Aug 4–25	Apr 7–May 18, Jul 3–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 28–Aug 18	May 6–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Aug 14–Sep 6	Apr 13–30, Jul 15–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Apr 6–30	May 1–Jun 1	Feb 16–Mar 12	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Apr 13–29	Apr 30–Jun 8	Feb 23–Mar 11	Set out plants
Lavender	May 20–Jun 8	Apr 20–May 19	Mar 4–23	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Mar 30–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 11	Feb 23–Mar 16	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 15–Jun 8	Apr 20–May 14	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 10–29	May 26–Jun 9, Jun 30–Jul 4	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 30–May 11	—	Feb 9–Mar 23	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 25–Jun 8	Apr 20–May 24	Apr 6–20	Set out plants
Mint	Mar 30–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 11	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Apr 13–27, May 26–Jun 8	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 23–Mar 9, Apr 7–20	Set out plants
Papalo	May 7–21	May 22–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 19–Aug 9	Apr 7–Jul 18	Jan 19–Feb 2, May 17–Jun 7	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 20–Jun 8	Apr 20–May 19	Mar 4–23	Set out plants
Sage	Apr 6–29	Apr 30–Jun 1	Feb 16–Mar 11	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 21–28	Apr 29–Jul 31	Mar 17–24	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 18	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 1–25	May 7–31	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 13–27	Apr 28–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Apr 13–May 5	May 6–Jun 8	—	Set out plants
Thyme	May 22–Jun 8	Apr 13–May 21	Mar 27–Apr 13	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 19–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 18	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Apr 13–May 5	May 6–Jun 8	Feb 23–Mar 17	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 9–30	Mar 31–May 11	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Feb 20–Mar 23	Mar 24–May 8	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 7–21, Jun 19–Jul 9	May 22–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Jul 24	Mar 17–31	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–Jun 1	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–27	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Jul 29	Mar 3–17	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 16–30	Mar 31–Apr 22	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 7–21, Jun 16–Jul 7	May 22–Jun 15	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 3–Aug 1	Apr 21–Jun 2, Aug 2–18	Mar 25–May 23	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 16–Apr 5	Apr 6–15, Jul 4–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 2–Jul 21	Apr 13–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 30–Apr 19, Jul 30–Sep 5	Apr 20–May 14, Jun 26–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 16–Apr 5	Apr 6–15, Jul 4–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 26–Jun 2, Jun 21–Jul 12	Jun 3–20	Apr 7–14, May 3–24	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 29–Jul 12	Apr 21–May 28, Jul 13–19	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 16–Apr 2, Jun 10–Jul 30	Apr 3–Jun 9	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 4–Jul 15	May 7–Jun 3, Jul 16–29	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 4–Jul 15	May 7–Jun 3, Jul 16–29	Apr 16–May 27	Set out plants
Larkspur	Mar 2–19	—	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 2–Jul 29	Apr 21–Jun 1, Jul 30–Aug 13	Apr 14–Jun 10	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Apr 19–May 8	Apr 13–18, May 9–Jun 8	Mar 15–Apr 3	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Jul 18–Aug 18	Apr 13–May 15, Jun 28–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Mar 2–23, Aug 31–Sep 20	Mar 24–Apr 19, Aug 20–30	Jun 15–Jul 5, Dec 15–Jan 5	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 22–Aug 2	May 26–Jun 21, Aug 3–17	Apr 20–May 31	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Apr 13–May 5	May 6–Jun 8	Jan 26–Feb 17	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 13–27, Jul 20–Aug 10	Apr 28–Jul 19	Feb 9–23, May 18–Jun 8	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 30–Apr 13, Aug 18–Sep 8	Apr 14–20, Aug 9–17	Jan 26–Feb 9, Jun 16–Jul 7	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 13–27, Jul 28–Aug 17	Apr 28–Jul 27	Feb 23–Mar 9, Jun 9–29	Set out plants
Sunflower	May 31–Jul 12	Apr 21–May 30, Jul 13–14	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 23–Apr 19, Aug 4–Sep 7	Apr 20–May 15, Jun 28–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 2–26	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 6–Jul 18	May 7–Jun 5, Jul 19–31	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Lexington

These need a climate Lexington doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 198 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fava bean: The frost-free season (about 198 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 198 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 198 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 198 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 198 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Rutabaga: The frost-free season (about 198 days) is shorter than the 95 days it needs.
Snapdragon: The frost-free season (about 198 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 198 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Indianapolis, IN 150 mi · last frost around Apr 20
Columbus, OH 154 mi · last frost around Apr 20
Charleston, WV 155 mi · last frost around Apr 16
Nashville, TN 183 mi · last frost around Apr 1
Huntsville, AL 258 mi · last frost around Mar 24
All Kentucky cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Lexington Bluegrass Airport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).