Frost dates for 66967Smith Center, KS
The average last spring frost in Smith Center is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 15, 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 15
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 22 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 7 | Sep 28 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 6 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Smith Center
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 25 |
| 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 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| 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 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 66967 is matched to the NOAA station Smith Ctr, KS, 3 km away, at 1,820 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Ctr, KS (used) | 1,820 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 15 |
| Kirwin Dam, KS | 1,697 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 7 |
| Franklin #2, NE | 1,861 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 8 |
| Red Cloud, NE | 1,732 ft | May 1 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Smith Center
- Athol, KS 66932 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Gaylord, KS 67638 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Lebanon, KS 66952 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Cedar, KS 67628 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Kensington, KS 66951 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Agra, KS 67621 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
- Esbon, KS 66941 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Portis, KS 67474 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Smith Center, KS?
- For ZIP code 66967, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Smith Ctr, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Smith Center, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 66967?
- 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.