Frost dates for 66618Topeka, KS
The average last spring frost in Topeka is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 191 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 191 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 10 · Apr 25 · May 8 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 8 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 191 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Topeka
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 3 |
| 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 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 3 |
| 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 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66618 is matched to the NOAA station Topeka Muni Ap, KS, 9.4 km away, at 876 ft elevation (36 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka Muni Ap, KS (used) | 876 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 23 |
| Topeka - Nws, KS | 880 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Topeka Forbes Fld, KS | 1,067 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 21 |
| Perry Lake, KS | 957 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Topeka
- Topeka, KS 66608 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Silver Lake, KS 66539 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Hoyt, KS 66440 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Grantville, KS 66429 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Meriden, KS 66512 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Tecumseh, KS 66542 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Rossville, KS 66533 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Berryton, KS 66409 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Topeka, KS?
- For ZIP code 66618, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Topeka Muni Ap, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Topeka, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66618?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 191 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.