Frost dates for 66869Strong City, KS
The average last spring frost in Strong City is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 25 · May 9 | Sep 27 · Oct 12 · Oct 24 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 4 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 6 · Apr 21 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Strong City
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66869 is matched to the NOAA station Tallgrass Prairie Np, KS, 4.2 km away, at 1,250 ft elevation (69 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tallgrass Prairie Np, KS (used) | 1,250 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Cottonwood Falls, KS | 1,232 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| Emporia 3 Nw, KS | 1,238 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| Council Grove Lake, KS | 1,315 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Strong City
- Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845 · last Apr 19, first Oct 18
- Elmdale, KS 66850 · last Apr 19, first Oct 18
- Americus, KS 66835 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Wilsey, KS 66873 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
- Emporia, KS 66801 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Matfield Green, KS 66862 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- Council Grove, KS 66846 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
- Cedar Point, KS 66843 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Strong City, KS?
- For ZIP code 66869, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tallgrass Prairie Np, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Strong City, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66869?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.