Frost dates for 67871Scott City, KS
The average last spring frost in Scott City is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 25 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 26 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 20 · May 4 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Scott 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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67871 is matched to the NOAA station Scott City, KS, 1.3 km away, at 2,974 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott City, KS (used) | 2,974 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Healy, KS | 2,850 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 15 |
| Leoti, KS | 3,309 ft | May 2 | Oct 12 |
| Oakley 19 Ssw, KS | 2,870 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Scott City
- Marienthal, KS 67863 · last May 2, first Oct 12
- Healy, KS 67850 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Dighton, KS 67839 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Leoti, KS 67861 · last May 2, first Oct 12
- Holcomb, KS 67851 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Garden City, KS 67846 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Deerfield, KS 67838 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Gove, KS 67736 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Scott City, KS?
- For ZIP code 67871, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Scott City, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Scott City, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. 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 67871?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.