Frost dates for 66554Randolph, KS
The average last spring frost in Randolph is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 181 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 181 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 14 · Apr 29 · May 11 | Sep 25 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 2 | Oct 2 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 181 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 9 · Apr 23 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 202 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Randolph
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66554 is matched to the NOAA station Clay Ctr, KS, 32.2 km away, at 1,201 ft elevation (32 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Ctr, KS (used) | 1,201 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
| Tuttle Creek Lake, KS | 1,058 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 20 |
| Manhattan, KS | 1,060 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 19 |
| Manhattan Muni Ap, KS | 1,057 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Randolph
- Leonardville, KS 66449 · last Apr 19, first Oct 19
- Olsburg, KS 66520 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Green, KS 67447 · last Apr 19, first Oct 19
- Riley, KS 66531 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Manhattan, KS 66505 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Barnes, KS 66933 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Waterville, KS 66548 · last Apr 25, first Oct 13
- Fostoria, KS 66426 · last Apr 18, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Randolph, KS?
- For ZIP code 66554, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clay Ctr, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Randolph, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66554?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 181 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.