Frost dates for 66118Kansas City, KS
The average last spring frost in Kansas City is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 211 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 211 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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 1 · Apr 15 · May 2 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 211 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 26 · Apr 10 | Oct 28 · Nov 11 · Nov 29 | 231 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kansas City
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66118 is matched to the NOAA station Kansas City Downtown Ap, MO, 2.7 km away, at 742 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Downtown Ap, MO (used) | 742 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Independence, MO | 985 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
| Kansas City Intl Ap, MO | 1,005 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
| Bonner Springs, KS | 850 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Kansas City
- Kansas City, MO 64101 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Riverside, MO 64150 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Mission, KS 66201 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Edwardsville, KS 66113 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Shawnee, KS 66203 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Prairie Village, KS 66208 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Independence, MO 64053 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Overland Park, KS 66204 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kansas City, KS?
- For ZIP code 66118, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kansas City Downtown Ap, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Kansas City, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66118?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 211 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.