Frost dates for 67880Ulysses, KS
The average last spring frost in Ulysses is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 16, 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 16
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (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 19 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 10 | Oct 2 · Oct 16 · Oct 27 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ulysses
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 26 |
| 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 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 26 |
| 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 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67880 is matched to the NOAA station Ulysses 3Ne, KS, 5.5 km away, at 3,094 ft elevation (53 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ulysses 3Ne, KS (used) | 3,094 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
| Johnson, KS | 3,330 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Sublette 7Wsw, KS | 2,949 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Lakin, KS | 2,998 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Ulysses
- Moscow, KS 67952 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Johnson, KS 67855 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Satanta, KS 67870 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Lakin, KS 67860 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Kendall, KS 67857 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Richfield, KS 67953 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Hugoton, KS 67951 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Sublette, KS 67877 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ulysses, KS?
- For ZIP code 67880, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ulysses 3Ne, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Ulysses, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67880?
- 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.