Frost dates for 66036Hillsdale, KS
The average last spring frost in Hillsdale is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 191 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 191 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 11 · Apr 25 · May 6 | Sep 28 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 8 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 191 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 3 · Apr 18 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 211 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hillsdale
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 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66036 is matched to the NOAA station Paola, KS, 7.8 km away, at 860 ft elevation (23 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paola, KS (used) | 860 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 21 |
| Hillsdale Lake, KS | 1,010 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
| Olathe Johnson Co Ap, KS | 1,087 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
| Osawatomie, KS | 860 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Hillsdale
- Paola, KS 66071 · last Apr 13, first Oct 21
- Spring Hill, KS 66083 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Louisburg, KS 66053 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Bucyrus, KS 66013 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Gardner, KS 66030 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- New Century, KS 66031 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Edgerton, KS 66021 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Osawatomie, KS 66064 · last Apr 13, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hillsdale, KS?
- For ZIP code 66036, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Paola, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Hillsdale, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66036?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 191 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.