Killin’ Frost

In American weather and farm talk, killing frost means a frost severe enough to kill tender vegetation and effectively end the growing season.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #FarmTalk #Southern #WeatherandSeasons

synonyms: hard frost, season-ending frost, killing freeze

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Killing frost' is never a good thing, and you'll hear about 'em commonly out in the country.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Killing frost' is never a good thing, and you'll hear about 'em commonly out in the country.

Pronunciation

[KIL-ing frawst]
/ˈkɪlɪŋ frɔst/

Meaning & Usage

- A frost cold enough to kill tender plants (noun phrase)

Mabel:

You still got tomatoes out there?

Harlan:

Not after that killing frost - it finished ’em.

★ If you’re talkin’ gardens, folks usually mean the frost that actually does damage, not just a little sparkle on the grass. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Killing frost" is a long-established weather and agricultural term used to describe a frost event severe enough to kill plant tissue and end or interrupt the growing season. The phrase is documented in American meteorological and climatology usage as a practical impact-based term, emphasizing the effect on vegetation rather than the appearance of frost deposits.

Usage Notes

"Killing frost" is used in gardening, farming, and weather discussion to mark the point when temperatures become cold enough to kill sensitive plants. It is typically used as a seasonal milestone (first killing frost in fall, last killing frost in spring) and is defined by plant impact rather than a single universal air-temperature number.

Often used when planning planting dates ("after the last killing frost") and harvest timing ("before the first killing frost")
Distinguished from light frost by impact: damage to tender leaves and plant tissue is the defining feature
Commonly paired with spring/fall timing language ("first" and "last" killing frost)
Sometimes overlaps in casual speech with "killing freeze," though "freeze" is often used for colder, more sustained conditions

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is a "killing frost" the same as a light frost?

No. A killing frost is defined by damage to tender vegetation, not just visible frost on surfaces.

Does a killing frost always require below-freezing air temperatures?

Not always. Plant damage depends on local conditions, exposure, and the temperature at plant level, not only a standard thermometer reading.

Why do people track first and last killing frost dates?

They are practical markers for planting and harvest windows because they bound much of the growing season.

Is "killing frost" a Southern expression?

No. It is widely used across American English in weather and agricultural contexts.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 19). Killing Frost. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/killing-frost
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Killing Frost." HillbillySlang.com, 19 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/killing-frost.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Killing Frost." HillbillySlang.com. December 19, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/killing-frost.