Frost dates for 67556Mc Cracken, KS
The average last spring frost in Mc Cracken is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 3 · May 16 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 25 · May 7 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Oct 28 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 29 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mc Cracken
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 27 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 27 |
| 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 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67556 is matched to the NOAA station Cedar Bluff Dam, KS, 26.8 km away, at 2,135 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Bluff Dam, KS (used) | 2,135 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| Brownell 3Nw, KS | 2,435 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Bison 3Nw, KS | 2,040 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Ness City, KS | 2,269 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Mc Cracken
- Alexander, KS 67513 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Brownell, KS 67521 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Bazine, KS 67516 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Nekoma, KS 67559 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Liebenthal, KS 67553 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- La Crosse, KS 67548 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Schoenchen, KS 67667 · last Apr 25, first Oct 15
- Rush Center, KS 67575 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mc Cracken, KS?
- For ZIP code 67556, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cedar Bluff Dam, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Mc Cracken, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67556?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.