Frost dates for 64190Kansas City, MO
The average last spring frost in Kansas City is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 8 · Apr 21 · May 3 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 12 · Apr 25 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 215 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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 64190 is matched to the NOAA station Leavenworth, KS, 6.1 km away, at 870 ft elevation (88 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leavenworth, KS (used) | 870 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 27 |
| Leavenworth 3Sw, KS | 871 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
| Kansas City Intl Ap, MO | 1,005 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
| Smithville Lake, MO | 904 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Kansas City
- Kansas City, MO 64168 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Platte City, MO 64079 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Farley, MO 64028 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Leavenworth, KS 66048 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Lansing, KS 66043 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Weston, MO 64098 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Waldron, MO 64092 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kansas City, MO?
- For ZIP code 64190, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Leavenworth, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- 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 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 64190?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.