Frost dates for 67217Wichita, KS
The average last spring frost in Wichita is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 22 · May 4 | Oct 6 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 180 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 11 · Apr 26 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 31 · Apr 17 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wichita
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67217 is matched to the NOAA station Wichita, KS, 8 km away, at 1,335 ft elevation (55 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS (used) | 1,335 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 29 |
| Wichita Wx, KS | 1,334 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 27 |
| Haysville 3Se, KS | 1,240 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 22 |
| Wichita Jabara Ap, KS | 1,421 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Wichita
- Wichita, KS 67216 · last Apr 14, first Oct 22
- Mcconnell Afb, KS 67221 · last Apr 14, first Oct 22
- Haysville, KS 67060 · last Apr 14, first Oct 22
- Derby, KS 67037 · last Apr 14, first Oct 22
- Peck, KS 67120 · last Apr 14, first Oct 22
- Clearwater, KS 67026 · last Apr 14, first Oct 22
- Maize, KS 67101 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Goddard, KS 67052 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wichita, KS?
- For ZIP code 67217, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wichita, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Wichita, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67217?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 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.