Frost dates for 66861Marion, KS
The average last spring frost in Marion is April 8 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 4 · Apr 19 · May 5 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 8 · Apr 25 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 30 · Apr 17 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Marion
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 8 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 1 – May 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66861 is matched to the NOAA station Marion Rsvr, KS, 5.4 km away, at 1,369 ft elevation (60 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Rsvr, KS (used) | 1,369 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 30 |
| Florence, KS | 1,290 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 17 |
| Herington, KS | 1,338 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 14 |
| Cottonwood Falls, KS | 1,232 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Marion
- Florence, KS 66851 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Lincolnville, KS 66858 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Hillsboro, KS 67063 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Cedar Point, KS 66843 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Peabody, KS 66866 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Lost Springs, KS 66859 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Lehigh, KS 67073 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Ramona, KS 67475 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Marion, KS?
- For ZIP code 66861, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marion Rsvr, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Marion, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66861?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.