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When to Plant Mint in Estill County, KY

Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

Estill County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 2,559 feet, Estill County receives approximately 42 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mint during the growing season.

Estill County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Estill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 980 gal / 100 sq ft
Mint needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 3,056 GDD Excellent fit

Mint Planting Timeline โ€” Estill County, KY

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Sep 3

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Estill County

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Estill County, KY?

Estill County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Mint planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Estill County, KY?

Estill County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Estill County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Estill County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.