Frost dates for 67731Bird City, KS
The average last spring frost in Bird City is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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) | May 2 · May 12 · May 25 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 14 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 23 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 25 · May 8 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Oct 31 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bird 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 | Apr 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67731 is matched to the NOAA station Mc Donald, KS, 14.3 km away, at 3,364 ft elevation (88 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mc Donald, KS (used) | 3,364 ft | May 4 | Oct 12 |
| Saint Francis, KS | 3,336 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Benkelman 1N, NE | 3,081 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Atwood, KS | 2,893 ft | May 2 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Bird City
- Mc Donald, KS 67745 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Saint Francis, KS 67756 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Benkelman, NE 69021 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Atwood, KS 67730 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Edson, KS 67733 · last May 9, first Oct 4
- Brewster, KS 67732 · last May 9, first Oct 4
- Parks, NE 69041 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Goodland, KS 67735 · last May 2, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bird City, KS?
- For ZIP code 67731, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mc Donald, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Bird City, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67731?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.