Frost dates for 67846Garden City, KS
The average last spring frost in Garden City is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (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) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 18 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 19 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 28 · May 9 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 28 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 191 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Garden 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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67846 is matched to the NOAA station Garden City Exp Stn, KS, 4.7 km away, at 2,890 ft elevation (59 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden City Exp Stn, KS (used) | 2,890 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 17 |
| Garden City Rgnl Ap, KS | 2,882 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
| Lakin, KS | 2,998 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 23 |
| Cimarron, KS | 2,703 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Garden City
- Holcomb, KS 67851 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Pierceville, KS 67868 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Deerfield, KS 67838 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Ingalls, KS 67853 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Lakin, KS 67860 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Cimarron, KS 67835 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Copeland, KS 67837 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Sublette, KS 67877 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Garden City, KS?
- For ZIP code 67846, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Garden City Exp Stn, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Garden City, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67846?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.