Atchison, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostOct 29median date
Growing season201 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Atchison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Atchison falls between March 29 and April 23, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 201-day growing season is longer than 82% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 18 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 107 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Saint Joseph, MO, 33 km away, the last frost here is 8 days earlier than there and the growing season is 20 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 29 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | October 29 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Atchison, KS
Atchison, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 11, first frost Oct 29, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Atchison, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Sep 3 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Atchison, KS weather station, 2 km away (elevation 945 ft (288 m)).
Frost dates near Atchison
- Lancaster Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Cummings Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Bendena Apr 19 · Oct 19
- Denton Apr 19 · Oct 19
- Nortonville Apr 10 · Oct 29
- Effingham Apr 18 · Oct 17
- Easton Apr 19 · Oct 19
- Troy Apr 19 · Oct 19
- Everest Apr 18 · Oct 17
- Winchester Apr 16 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Atchison, KS?
The median last spring frost in Atchison, KS is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Atchison, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Atchison, KS?
About 201 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Atchison, KS?
Atchison, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.