Frost dates for 66724Cherokee, KS
The average last spring frost in Cherokee is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 209 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 209 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 188 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 26 · Apr 9 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 26 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cherokee
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66724 is matched to the NOAA station Girard, KS, 15.4 km away, at 990 ft elevation (42 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girard, KS (used) | 990 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
| Pittsburg, KS | 908 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
| Columbus, KS | 893 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
| Joplin 24 N, MO | 952 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Cherokee
- Scammon, KS 66773 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- West Mineral, KS 66782 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Pittsburg, KS 66762 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Weir, KS 66781 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Girard, KS 66743 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Frontenac, KS 66763 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Mc Cune, KS 66753 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Opolis, KS 66760 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cherokee, KS?
- For ZIP code 66724, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Girard, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Cherokee, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66724?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 209 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.