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Frost dates and planting calendar for Kansas City, Kansas
- USDA hardiness zone
- 6b[1]
- Median last spring frost
- Apr 4[2]
- Median first fall frost
- Nov 2[3]
- Growing season, median
- 211 days[4]
Kansas City, Kansas sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b at the city center[1]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after April 4, the median date at the nearest NOAA station[2].
Frost dates
The frost dates here come from NOAA climate normals for the Kansas City Downtown Airport weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. They are odds, not a forecast. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost comes after March 17, in half of years after April 4, and in 1 of 10 years after April 20[2]. In the fall, the first frost comes before October 21 in 1 of 10 years and before November 2 in half of years[3]. A hard freeze of 28°F has a median last spring date of March 26 and a median first fall date of November 11[6].
| Frost | Likely (9 in 10 years) | Even odds (5 in 10) | Unlikely (1 in 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last spring frost (32°F)[2] | after March 17 | after April 4 | after April 20 |
| First fall frost (32°F)[3] | before October 21 | before November 2 | before November 16 |
- Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date March 26, median first fall date November 11[6].
- Frost-free growing season: at least 191 days in 9 of 10 years, 211 days in half of years and 234 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
- The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[8].
- Weather station: Kansas City Downtown Airport (USW00013988), 7.8 miles from the city center, 742 feet, 29 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].
When to plant vegetables
Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide was written for Colorado, so the dates below are a GardenFacts calculation that uses Kansas City's median last frost of April 4[7]. Hardy crops such as peas, lettuce, spinach and radishes can go in as early as March 7 to March 21[7]. Semi-hardy crops such as beets, carrots and potatoes can go in as early as March 21, up to April 4[9]. Tender crops such as snap beans, sweet corn and cucumbers go in from seed around April 4[10]. Very tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplant typically wait 2 or more weeks after the median last frost, so April 18 is the earliest start[11].
- Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (April 4) is March 7 to March 21[7]
- Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (April 4) is March 21, up to the median date itself[9]
- Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, April 4[10]
- Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (April 4), is April 18[11]
| Vegetable (CSU group) | Plant from | First harvest around |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli (hardy)[12] | Mar 7 | May 11 (from transplants) |
| Cabbage (hardy)[12] | Mar 7 | May 31 (from transplants) |
| Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] | Mar 7 | Apr 26 |
| Lettuce (hardy)[12] | Mar 7 | May 6 |
| Onions (hardy)[12] | Mar 7 | Jun 25 |
| Peas (hardy)[12] | Mar 7 | May 11 |
| Radishes (hardy)[12] | Mar 7 | Apr 6 |
| Spinach (hardy)[12] | Mar 7 | Apr 16 |
| Turnips (hardy)[12] | Mar 7 | Apr 26 |
| Beets (semi-hardy)[12] | Mar 21 | May 20 |
| Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] | Mar 21 | May 30 |
| Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] | Mar 21 | not listed |
| Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] | Mar 21 | May 30 |
| Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] | Mar 21 | Jul 24 |
| Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] | Mar 21 | May 20 |
| Snap beans (tender)[12] | Apr 4 | Jun 3 |
| Sweet corn (tender)[12] | Apr 4 | Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers (tender)[12] | Apr 4 | May 29 |
| Summer squash (tender)[12] | Apr 4 | May 24 |
| Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] | Apr 18 | Jul 12 |
| Eggplant (very tender)[12] | Apr 18 | Jun 17 (from transplants) |
| Peppers (very tender)[12] | Apr 18 | Jun 27 (from transplants) |
| Tomatoes (very tender)[12] | Apr 18 | Jun 22 (from transplants) |
| Winter squash (very tender)[12] | Apr 18 | Jul 27 |
| Watermelon (very tender)[12] | Apr 18 | Jul 12 |
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
| Vegetable | Min. soil temp | Depth | Spacing | Days to harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli[13] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 18 in | 65 |
| Cabbage[13] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 18 in | 85 |
| Kohlrabi[13] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 7-9 in | 50 |
| Lettuce[13] | 35°F | 1/4 in | 7-9 in | 60 |
| Onions[13] | 35°F | 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) | 4-6 in | 110 |
| Peas[13] | 40°F | 1 in | 4-6 in | 65 |
| Radishes[13] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 2-3 in | 30 |
| Spinach[13] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 4-6 in | 40 |
| Turnips[13] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 4-6 in | 50 |
| Beets[13] | 40°F | 3/4-1 in | 4-6 in | 60 |
| Carrots[13] | 40°F | 1/4 in | 2-3 in | 70 |
| Cauliflower[13] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 18 in | – |
| Parsnips[13] | 35°F | 1/2 in | 5-6 in | 70 |
| Potatoes[13] | 45°F | – | – | 125 |
| Swiss chard[13] | 40°F | 1 in | 7-9 in | 60 |
| Snap beans[13] | 55°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 6 in | 60 |
| Sweet corn[13] | 50°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in | 60-90 |
| Cucumbers[13] | 60°F | 1 in | 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised | 55 |
| Summer squash[13] | 60°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 36-48 in | 50 |
| Cantaloupe[13] | 60°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 36-48 in | 85 |
| Eggplant[13] | 60°F | 1/4 in | 18-24 in | 60 |
| Peppers[13] | 60°F | 1/4 in | 15-18 in | 70 |
| Tomatoes[13] | 50°F | 1/4 in | 24 in trellised | 65 |
| Winter squash[13] | 60°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 36-48 in | 100 |
| Watermelon[13] | 60°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 36-48 in | 85 |
Hardiness zone
The USDA zone is based on the average coldest winter night, not on summer heat or frost dates[14]. Zone 6b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature between minus 5°F and 0°F over 1991 to 2020[1]. USDA describes the map as the standard gardeners use to judge which perennial plants are most likely to thrive in a place[14]. By land area, 97% of the city lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 6b and 3% in areas rated zone 7a[15].
Zone 6b: average annual extreme minimum temperature -5°F to 0°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: -2.9°F[1].
Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 6b 97%, zone 7a 3%[15].
All towns in zone 6b and what zone 6b means
Zone by ZIP code
| ZIP code | Zone | Coldest night range |
|---|---|---|
| 66109[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
| 66106[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
| 66104[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
| 66111[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
| 66102[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
| 66112[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
| 66103[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
| 66115[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
| 66101[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
| 66105[15] | 7a | 0 to 5°F |
| 66118[15] | 7a | 0 to 5°F |
| 66012[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
| 66216[15] | 6b | -5 to 0°F |
Questions people ask
- What growing zone is Kansas City, Kansas?
- The 2023 USDA map puts the center of Kansas City, Kansas in zone 6b[1]. By land area, 3% of the city lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 7a[15].
- When is the last frost in Kansas City, Kansas?
- The median last spring frost is April 4 at the Kansas City Downtown Airport station[2]. In 1 of 10 years the last frost comes after April 20[2].
- When to plant tomatoes in Kansas City, Kansas?
- CSU Extension groups tomatoes as very tender, typically planted 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[11]. For Kansas City that makes April 18 the earliest start[11].
- When is the first frost in Kansas City, Kansas?
- The median first fall frost is November 2[3]. In 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 21[3].
- How long is the growing season in Kansas City, Kansas?
- The growing season between the last spring and first fall frost is at least 211 days in half of years and at least 191 days in 9 of 10 years[4].
Facts and sources
- The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Kansas City, Kansas in zone 6b. Zone 6b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of -5°F to 0°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is minus 2.9°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
- Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after March 17, in half of years after April 4, and in 1 of 10 years after April 20 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is April 4. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 21, in half of years before November 2, and in 9 of 10 years before November 16 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 2. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 191 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 211 days in half of years, and at least 234 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Kansas City Downtown Airport weather station (USW00013988), 7.8 miles from the center of Kansas City at 742 feet, using 29 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is March 26 and the median first fall date is November 11. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 100% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- Kansas City, Kansas overlaps 13 ZIP code areas. By land area, 97% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 6b, 3% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 7a. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.