Frost dates for 67344Elk City, KS
The average last spring frost in Elk City is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 2 · Apr 17 · May 1 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 23 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 26 · Apr 10 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 25 | 228 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elk 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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67344 is matched to the NOAA station Independence, KS, 20.8 km away, at 805 ft elevation (251 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, KS (used) | 805 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
| Fredonia, KS | 893 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 26 |
| Sedan, KS | 902 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 27 |
| Howard, KS | 1,010 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Elk City
- Longton, KS 67352 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Sycamore, KS 67363 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Independence, KS 67301 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Neodesha, KS 66757 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Havana, KS 67347 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Elk Falls, KS 67345 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- New Albany, KS 66759 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Sedan, KS 67361 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elk City, KS?
- For ZIP code 67344, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Independence, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Elk City, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67344?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.