Frost dates for 66514Milford, KS
The average last spring frost in Milford is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 8 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 29 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milford
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66514 is matched to the NOAA station Milford Lake, KS, 10.6 km away, at 1,213 ft elevation (38 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milford Lake, KS (used) | 1,213 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 26 |
| Manhattan Muni Ap, KS | 1,057 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
| Chapman, KS | 1,111 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 20 |
| Manhattan 6 Ssw, KS | 1,137 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Milford
- Wakefield, KS 67487 · last Apr 19, first Oct 19
- Fort Riley, KS 66442 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Riley, KS 66531 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Junction City, KS 66441 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Ogden, KS 66517 · last Apr 21, first Oct 16
- Leonardville, KS 66449 · last Apr 19, first Oct 19
- Chapman, KS 67431 · last Apr 17, first Oct 20
- Manhattan, KS 66505 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milford, KS?
- For ZIP code 66514, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Milford Lake, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Milford, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66514?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.