Frost dates for 64136Kansas City, MO
The average last spring frost in Kansas City is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 164 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 21 · May 7 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 10 · Apr 26 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 31 · Apr 15 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 219 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kansas City
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 64136 is matched to the NOAA station Independence, MO, 5.3 km away, at 985 ft elevation (165 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, MO (used) | 985 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
| Lees Summit Muni Ap, MO | 997 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| Lees Summit Reed Wr, MO | 1,000 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
| Kansas City Downtown Ap, MO | 742 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Kansas City
- Independence, MO 64055 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Lees Summit, MO 64064 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Kansas City, MO 64139 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Blue Springs, MO 64015 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Grain Valley, MO 64029 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Grandview, MO 64030 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Leawood, KS 66206 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Greenwood, MO 64034 · last Apr 13, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kansas City, MO?
- For ZIP code 64136, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Independence, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Kansas City, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 64136?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.