Frost dates for 66846Council Grove, KS
The average last spring frost in Council Grove is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 194 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 194 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (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 6 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 27 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 194 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Council Grove
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 5 |
| 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 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 5 |
| 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 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66846 is matched to the NOAA station Council Grove Lake, KS, 3.9 km away, at 1,315 ft elevation (47 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council Grove Lake, KS (used) | 1,315 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 25 |
| Tallgrass Prairie Np, KS | 1,250 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Herington, KS | 1,338 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 14 |
| Cottonwood Falls, KS | 1,232 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Council Grove
- Wilsey, KS 66873 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
- Dwight, KS 66849 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
- Alta Vista, KS 66834 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
- White City, KS 66872 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Burdick, KS 66838 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Herington, KS 67449 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Strong City, KS 66869 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Americus, KS 66835 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Council Grove, KS?
- For ZIP code 66846, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Council Grove Lake, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Council Grove, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66846?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 194 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.