Frost dates for 66085Stilwell, KS
The average last spring frost in Stilwell is April 8 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 4 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 8 · Apr 23 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 30 · Apr 13 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 224 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stilwell
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 8 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 1 – May 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66085 is matched to the NOAA station Olathe Johnson Co Exec Ap, KS, 9.3 km away, at 1,070 ft elevation (20 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olathe Johnson Co Exec Ap, KS (used) | 1,070 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
| Olathe 3E, KS | 1,055 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
| Olathe Johnson Co Ap, KS | 1,087 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
| Hillsdale Lake, KS | 1,010 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Stilwell
- Bucyrus, KS 66013 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Overland Park, KS 66223 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Belton, MO 64012 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Kansas City, MO 64147 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Olathe, KS 66062 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Cleveland, MO 64734 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Spring Hill, KS 66083 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Grandview, MO 64030 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stilwell, KS?
- For ZIP code 66085, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Olathe Johnson Co Exec Ap, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Stilwell, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66085?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.