Frost dates for 66845Cottonwood Falls, KS
The average last spring frost in Cottonwood Falls is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 180 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 180 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 10 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 162 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 180 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 7 · Apr 24 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cottonwood Falls
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 28 |
| 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 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 28 |
| 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 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66845 is matched to the NOAA station Cottonwood Falls, KS, 1.6 km away, at 1,232 ft elevation (15 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Falls, KS (used) | 1,232 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| Tallgrass Prairie Np, KS | 1,250 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Emporia 3 Nw, KS | 1,238 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| Emporia Muni Ap, KS | 1,209 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Cottonwood Falls
- Strong City, KS 66869 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Elmdale, KS 66850 · last Apr 19, first Oct 18
- Matfield Green, KS 66862 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- Cedar Point, KS 66843 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Americus, KS 66835 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Emporia, KS 66801 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Olpe, KS 66865 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Wilsey, KS 66873 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cottonwood Falls, KS?
- For ZIP code 66845, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cottonwood Falls, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Cottonwood Falls, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66845?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 180 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.