Frost dates for 67038Dexter, KS
The average last spring frost in Dexter is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 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 9 · Apr 26 · May 8 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 3 · Apr 22 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dexter
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 – Jul 2 |
| 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 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 2 |
| 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 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67038 is matched to the NOAA station Winfield 3Ne, KS, 26 km away, at 1,233 ft elevation (86 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winfield 3Ne, KS (used) | 1,233 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Winfield Strother Fld Ap, KS | 1,150 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 27 |
| Newkirk 8E Mesonet, OK | 1,200 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 30 |
| Newkirk 5Ne, OK | 1,142 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Dexter
- Maple City, KS 67102 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Cambridge, KS 67023 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Burden, KS 67019 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Cedar Vale, KS 67024 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Winfield, KS 67156 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Atlanta, KS 67008 · last Apr 18, first Oct 21
- Grenola, KS 67346 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Arkansas City, KS 67005 · last Apr 11, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dexter, KS?
- For ZIP code 67038, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Winfield 3Ne, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Dexter, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67038?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.