Frost dates for 67745Mc Donald, KS
The average last spring frost in Mc Donald 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 183 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 Mc Donald
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 67745 is matched to the NOAA station Mc Donald, KS, 4 km away, at 3,364 ft elevation (44 ft higher 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 |
| Atwood, KS | 2,893 ft | May 2 | Oct 8 |
| Benkelman 1N, NE | 3,081 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Saint Francis, KS | 3,336 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Mc Donald
- Bird City, KS 67731 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Atwood, KS 67730 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Ludell, KS 67744 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Benkelman, NE 69021 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Stratton, NE 69043 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Herndon, KS 67739 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Max, NE 69037 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Levant, KS 67743 · last May 2, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mc Donald, KS?
- For ZIP code 67745, 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 Mc Donald, 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 67745?
- 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.