Frost dates for 66012Bonner Springs, KS
The average last spring frost in Bonner Springs is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (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 12 · Apr 28 · May 9 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 24 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 5 · Apr 22 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 206 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bonner Springs
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66012 is matched to the NOAA station Bonner Springs, KS, 2.3 km away, at 850 ft elevation (82 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonner Springs, KS (used) | 850 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Leavenworth 3Sw, KS | 871 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
| Olathe 3E, KS | 1,055 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
| Lawrence Muni Ap, KS | 832 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Bonner Springs
- Basehor, KS 66007 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Kansas City, KS 66111 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Linwood, KS 66052 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- De Soto, KS 66018 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Tonganoxie, KS 66086 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Edwardsville, KS 66113 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Shawnee, KS 66203 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Lacygne, KS 66040 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bonner Springs, KS?
- For ZIP code 66012, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bonner Springs, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Bonner Springs, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66012?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.