Frost dates for 67143Sun City, KS
The average last spring frost in Sun City is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 21 · May 4 · May 16 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 25 · May 7 | Sep 29 · Oct 15 · Oct 25 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 6 · Oct 22 · Nov 1 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sun 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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67143 is matched to the NOAA station Wilmore 16Se, KS, 30.1 km away, at 1,667 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmore 16Se, KS (used) | 1,667 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 15 |
| Medicine Lodge, KS | 1,535 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 23 |
| Pratt 3Nw, KS | 1,942 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
| Coldwater, KS | 2,115 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Sun City
- Lake City, KS 67071 · last Apr 13, first Oct 23
- Coats, KS 67028 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Wilmore, KS 67155 · last Apr 13, first Oct 27
- Sawyer, KS 67134 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Medicine Lodge, KS 67104 · last Apr 13, first Oct 23
- Haviland, KS 67059 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Pratt, KS 67124 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Isabel, KS 67065 · last Apr 13, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sun City, KS?
- For ZIP code 67143, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wilmore 16Se, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Sun City, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67143?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.