Frost dates for 66072Parker, KS
The average last spring frost in Parker is April 17 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 17
- 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 172 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 10 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 17 · May 1 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 6 · Apr 22 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Parker
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66072 is matched to the NOAA station Garnett 1 E, KS, 20.9 km away, at 998 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garnett 1 E, KS (used) | 998 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
| Osawatomie, KS | 860 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
| Mound City, KS | 840 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 23 |
| Mound City 1Ssw, KS | 912 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Parker
- Greeley, KS 66033 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Centerville, KS 66014 · last Apr 13, first Oct 23
- Fontana, KS 66026 · last Apr 13, first Oct 21
- Lane, KS 66042 · last Apr 13, first Oct 21
- Osawatomie, KS 66064 · last Apr 13, first Oct 21
- Garnett, KS 66032 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Mound City, KS 66056 · last Apr 13, first Oct 23
- Richmond, KS 66080 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Parker, KS?
- For ZIP code 66072, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Garnett 1 E, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Parker, 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 66072?
- 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.