Frost dates for 66510Melvern, KS
The average last spring frost in Melvern is April 8 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 5 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 8 · Apr 22 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 31 · Apr 13 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 24 | 223 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Melvern
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 10 |
| 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 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| 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 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66510 is matched to the NOAA station Melvern Lake, KS, 6.5 km away, at 1,094 ft elevation (130 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melvern Lake, KS (used) | 1,094 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 30 |
| Pomona Lake, KS | 1,063 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 31 |
| Osage City, KS | 1,094 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
| John Redmond Lake, KS | 1,092 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Melvern
- Quenemo, KS 66528 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Waverly, KS 66871 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Lyndon, KS 66451 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Vassar, KS 66543 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Williamsburg, KS 66095 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Lebo, KS 66856 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Pomona, KS 66076 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Osage City, KS 66523 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Melvern, KS?
- For ZIP code 66510, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Melvern Lake, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Melvern, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66510?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.