Frost dates for 67042El Dorado, KS
The average last spring frost in El Dorado is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 8 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 13 · Apr 27 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for El Dorado
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 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67042 is matched to the NOAA station El Dorado, KS, 1 km away, at 1,290 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado, KS (used) | 1,290 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 25 |
| Cassoday 2Se, KS | 1,520 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 22 |
| Smileyberg 1N, KS | 1,330 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 21 |
| Wichita Jabara Ap, KS | 1,421 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near El Dorado
- Towanda, KS 67144 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Leon, KS 67074 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Augusta, KS 67010 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Rosalia, KS 67132 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- Potwin, KS 67123 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Benton, KS 67017 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Andover, KS 67002 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Cassoday, KS 66842 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in El Dorado, KS?
- For ZIP code 67042, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the El Dorado, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in El Dorado, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67042?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.