Frost dates for 67860Lakin, KS
The average last spring frost in Lakin is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 14 · Apr 29 · May 9 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 25 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 18 · May 1 | Oct 8 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 22 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lakin
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67860 is matched to the NOAA station Lakin, KS, 2 km away, at 2,998 ft elevation (30 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakin, KS (used) | 2,998 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 23 |
| Ulysses 3Ne, KS | 3,094 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
| Garden City Exp Stn, KS | 2,890 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 17 |
| Syracuse 1Ne, KS | 3,308 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Lakin
- Deerfield, KS 67838 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Kendall, KS 67857 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Holcomb, KS 67851 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Garden City, KS 67846 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Ulysses, KS 67880 · last Apr 28, first Oct 16
- Syracuse, KS 67878 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Pierceville, KS 67868 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Johnson, KS 67855 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lakin, KS?
- For ZIP code 67860, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lakin, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Lakin, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67860?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.