Frost dates for 66546Wakarusa, KS
The average last spring frost in Wakarusa is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 185 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 185 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 27 · May 11 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 5 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 185 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wakarusa
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66546 is matched to the NOAA station Topeka Forbes Fld, KS, 6 km away, at 1,067 ft elevation (86 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka Forbes Fld, KS (used) | 1,067 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 21 |
| Topeka - Nws, KS | 880 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Topeka Muni Ap, KS | 876 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 23 |
| Osage City, KS | 1,094 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Wakarusa
- Topeka, KS 66619 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Carbondale, KS 66414 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Auburn, KS 66402 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Berryton, KS 66409 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Scranton, KS 66537 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Overbrook, KS 66524 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Tecumseh, KS 66542 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Burlingame, KS 66413 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wakarusa, KS?
- For ZIP code 66546, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Topeka Forbes Fld, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Wakarusa, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66546?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 185 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.