Frost dates for 66852Gridley, KS
The average last spring frost in Gridley is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after Apr 28 (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 22 · May 6 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Oct 31 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 28 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gridley
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 66852 is matched to the NOAA station John Redmond Lake, KS, 20.9 km away, at 1,092 ft elevation (66 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Redmond Lake, KS (used) | 1,092 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Yates Ctr, KS | 1,112 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 28 |
| Emporia Muni Ap, KS | 1,209 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 23 |
| Eureka 1E, KS | 1,100 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Gridley
- Lamont, KS 66855 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Burlington, KS 66839 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Madison, KS 66860 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Hartford, KS 66854 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Le Roy, KS 66857 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Virgil, KS 66870 · last Apr 16, first Oct 20
- Hamilton, KS 66853 · last Apr 16, first Oct 20
- Yates Center, KS 66783 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gridley, KS?
- For ZIP code 66852, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the John Redmond Lake, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Gridley, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. 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 66852?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 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.