Frost dates for 67953Richfield, KS
The average last spring frost in Richfield is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 4 · May 17 | Sep 27 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 27 · May 9 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Oct 30 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 15 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richfield
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 67953 is matched to the NOAA station Richfield, KS, 8.1 km away, at 3,408 ft elevation (91 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richfield, KS (used) | 3,408 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 19 |
| Johnson, KS | 3,330 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Hugoton, KS | 3,110 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 22 |
| Elkhart, KS | 3,599 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Richfield
- Rolla, KS 67954 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Johnson, KS 67855 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Manter, KS 67862 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Elkhart, KS 67950 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Hugoton, KS 67951 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Moscow, KS 67952 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Ulysses, KS 67880 · last Apr 28, first Oct 16
- Walsh, CO 81090 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richfield, KS?
- For ZIP code 67953, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Richfield, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Richfield, KS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 67953?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.