Frost dates for 66060Nortonville, KS
The average last spring frost in Nortonville 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 Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (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 25 · May 6 | Sep 26 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 16 · Apr 29 | Oct 5 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Nortonville
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 66060 is matched to the NOAA station Oskaloosa 4 Ne, KS, 19.1 km away, at 1,109 ft elevation (23 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oskaloosa 4 Ne, KS (used) | 1,109 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Valley Falls 3 Sw, KS | 1,051 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
| Atchison, KS | 945 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 29 |
| Horton, KS | 1,032 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Nortonville
- Cummings, KS 66016 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Winchester, KS 66097 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Valley Falls, KS 66088 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Effingham, KS 66023 · last Apr 18, first Oct 17
- Lancaster, KS 66041 · last Apr 18, first Oct 17
- Easton, KS 66020 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Oskaloosa, KS 66066 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Muscotah, KS 66058 · last Apr 18, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Nortonville, KS?
- For ZIP code 66060, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oskaloosa 4 Ne, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Nortonville, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66060?
- 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.