Frost dates for 66859Lost Springs, KS
The average last spring frost in Lost Springs is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 19 · May 3 · May 17 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 8 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · May 1 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lost Springs
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66859 is matched to the NOAA station Herington, KS, 11.4 km away, at 1,338 ft elevation (135 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herington, KS (used) | 1,338 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 14 |
| Marion Rsvr, KS | 1,369 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 30 |
| Florence, KS | 1,290 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 17 |
| Tallgrass Prairie Np, KS | 1,250 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Lost Springs
- Lincolnville, KS 66858 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Ramona, KS 67475 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Burdick, KS 66838 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Herington, KS 67449 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Hope, KS 67451 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Tampa, KS 67483 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Marion, KS 66861 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Durham, KS 67438 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lost Springs, KS?
- For ZIP code 66859, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Herington, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Lost Springs, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66859?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.