Frost dates for 66740Galesburg, KS
The average last spring frost in Galesburg is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 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 22 · May 4 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 177 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 26 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 19 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Galesburg
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66740 is matched to the NOAA station Parsons 2 Nw, KS, 13.7 km away, at 910 ft elevation (64 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parsons 2 Nw, KS (used) | 910 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Parsons Tri City Ap, KS | 869 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 26 |
| Chanute 4E, KS | 992 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
| Big Hill Lake, KS | 907 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Galesburg
- Thayer, KS 66776 · last Apr 10, first Oct 26
- Dennis, KS 67341 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Parsons, KS 67357 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Erie, KS 66733 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Saint Paul, KS 66771 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Chanute, KS 66720 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Altoona, KS 66710 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Neodesha, KS 66757 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Galesburg, KS?
- For ZIP code 66740, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Parsons 2 Nw, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Galesburg, 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 66740?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.