When Is the Last Frost in Kansas?
The average last spring frost in Kansas falls between April 8 and April 28 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 16. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | Apr 11 | Apr 26 | Oct 29 | 199 days |
| Overland Park | Apr 10 | Apr 24 | Oct 29 | 202 days |
| Kansas City | Apr 16 | May 1 | Oct 22 | 188 days |
| Olathe | Apr 13 | Apr 29 | Oct 24 | 193 days |
| Topeka | Apr 16 | Apr 27 | Oct 22 | 189 days |
| Lawrence | Apr 12 | Apr 24 | Oct 28 | 199 days |
| Shawnee | Apr 16 | May 1 | Oct 22 | 188 days |
| Lenexa | Apr 10 | Apr 24 | Oct 29 | 202 days |
| Manhattan | Apr 16 | May 1 | Oct 19 | 185 days |
| Salina | Apr 18 | May 1 | Oct 23 | 187 days |
| Hutchinson | Apr 18 | May 2 | Oct 21 | 186 days |
| Leavenworth | Apr 12 | Apr 25 | Oct 27 | 196 days |
| Garden City | Apr 28 | May 9 | Oct 17 | 171 days |
| Dodge City | Apr 21 | May 4 | Oct 20 | 179 days |
| Emporia | Apr 15 | Apr 30 | Oct 23 | 190 days |
| Junction City | Apr 12 | Apr 29 | Oct 26 | 193 days |
| Hays | Apr 25 | May 8 | Oct 15 | 171 days |
| Pittsburg | Apr 7 | Apr 24 | Oct 30 | 203 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 176 Kansas weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from April 4 at Girard, KS to May 9 at Brewster 4 W, KS. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Kansas?
The average first fall frost in Kansas arrives between October 14 and October 29 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 22. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Wichita has a 10% chance of frost before October 15, Overland Park has a 10% chance of frost before October 13 and Kansas City has a 10% chance of frost before October 9. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Kansas?
Transplant tomatoes in Kansas 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 18 – Apr 25 in Wichita, Apr 17 – Apr 24 in Overland Park and Apr 23 – Apr 30 in Kansas City. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | after Apr 26 |
| Overland Park | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | after Apr 24 |
| Kansas City | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | after May 1 |
| Olathe | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | after Apr 29 |
| Topeka | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | after Apr 27 |
| Lawrence | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | after Apr 24 |
| Shawnee | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | after May 1 |
| Lenexa | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | after Apr 24 |
| Manhattan | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | after May 1 |
| Salina | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 2 | after May 1 |
| Hutchinson | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 2 | after May 2 |
| Leavenworth | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | after Apr 25 |
| Garden City | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 12 | after May 9 |
| Dodge City | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 5 | after May 4 |
| Emporia | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | after Apr 30 |
| Junction City | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | after Apr 29 |
| Hays | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 9 | after May 8 |
| Pittsburg | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | after Apr 24 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Wichita and When?
Wichita's average last frost of April 11 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from February 28, broccoli and lettuce transplants from March 14, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after April 18.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 21 – Mar 28direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – Apr 25transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 2transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 2transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Apr 18 – May 2direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 18 – May 2direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Wichita (last frost Apr 11, NOAA station Wichita, KS, 6 miles from ZIP 67202). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Kansas?
The frost-free growing season in Kansas lasts about 169 to 203 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 187 days. Among the listed cities, Garden City has the shortest season at 171 days and Pittsburg the longest at 203.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Kansas range from 145 days at Brewster 4 W, KS to 209 days at Girard, KS. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Kansas?
Kansas spans USDA hardiness zones 6a to 7a, with zone 6b the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Kansas planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Kansas?
- The average last spring frost in Kansas falls between April 8 and April 28 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 16. Among major cities it ranges from April 7 in Pittsburg to April 28 in Garden City.
- When is the last frost in Wichita, Kansas?
- Wichita's average last spring frost is April 11, and by April 26 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages October 29, giving a 199-day growing season (NOAA station Wichita, KS).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Kansas?
- Transplant tomatoes in Kansas 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 18 – Apr 25 in Wichita, Apr 17 – Apr 24 in Overland Park and Apr 23 – Apr 30 in Kansas City. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Kansas?
- The average first fall frost in Kansas arrives between October 14 and October 29 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 22. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Kansas?
- The frost-free growing season in Kansas lasts about 169 to 203 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 187 days, from 171 days in Garden City to 203 days in Pittsburg.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.