Frost dates for 66047Lawrence, KS
The average last spring frost in Lawrence is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 26 · May 10 | Sep 28 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 17 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lawrence
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66047 is matched to the NOAA station Clinton Lake, KS, 5.3 km away, at 980 ft elevation (117 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Lake, KS (used) | 980 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Lawrence, KS | 1,050 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 28 |
| Lawrence Muni Ap, KS | 832 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
| Perry Lake, KS | 957 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Lawrence
- Lawrence, KS 66046 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Eudora, KS 66025 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Lacygne, KS 66040 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Lecompton, KS 66050 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Baldwin City, KS 66006 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Perry, KS 66073 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Linwood, KS 66052 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Tonganoxie, KS 66086 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lawrence, KS?
- For ZIP code 66047, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clinton Lake, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Lawrence, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66047?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.