Frost dates for 66863Neal, KS
The average last spring frost in Neal is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 186 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 186 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 12 · Apr 26 · May 8 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 23 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 186 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 206 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Neal
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66863 is matched to the NOAA station Eureka 1E, KS, 16.1 km away, at 1,100 ft elevation (149 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka 1E, KS (used) | 1,100 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 20 |
| Yates Ctr, KS | 1,112 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 28 |
| Fredonia, KS | 893 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 26 |
| Howard, KS | 1,010 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Neal
- Virgil, KS 66870 · last Apr 16, first Oct 20
- Toronto, KS 66777 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Hamilton, KS 66853 · last Apr 16, first Oct 20
- Eureka, KS 67045 · last Apr 16, first Oct 20
- Fall River, KS 67047 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Severy, KS 67137 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Yates Center, KS 66783 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Lamont, KS 66855 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Neal, KS?
- For ZIP code 66863, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eureka 1E, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Neal, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66863?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 186 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.