Frost dates for 67842Ford, KS
The average last spring frost in Ford is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 17 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 25 · Oct 11 · Oct 22 | 162 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 21 · May 4 | Oct 4 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 11 · Apr 26 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ford
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67842 is matched to the NOAA station Dodge City, KS, 22.9 km away, at 2,590 ft elevation (195 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge City, KS (used) | 2,590 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 20 |
| Greensburg, KS | 2,243 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| Kinsley 2E, KS | 2,159 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
| Ashland, KS | 1,970 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Ford
- Bucklin, KS 67834 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Fort Dodge, KS 67843 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- Wright, KS 67882 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- Spearville, KS 67876 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- Dodge City, KS 67801 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- Mullinville, KS 67109 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Minneola, KS 67865 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Offerle, KS 67563 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ford, KS?
- For ZIP code 67842, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dodge City, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Ford, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67842?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.