Bern, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Bern compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bern falls between April 10 and May 2, a 22-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 27 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 20% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 139 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Manhattan, KS, 98 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 7 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 10 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 27 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 Bern, KS
Bern, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 13, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bern, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Baileyville, KS weather station, 24 km away (elevation 1,296 ft (395 m)).
Frost dates near Bern
- Oneida Apr 22 · Oct 13
- Seneca Apr 22 · Oct 13
- Sabetha Apr 14 · Oct 22
- Baileyville Apr 22 · Oct 13
- Morrill Apr 14 · Oct 22
- Fairview Apr 14 · Oct 22
- Axtell Apr 22 · Oct 13
- Centralia Apr 19 · Oct 19
- Summerfield Apr 22 · Oct 13
- Goff Apr 19 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bern, KS?
The median last spring frost in Bern, KS is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bern, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 27.
How long is the growing season in Bern, KS?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bern, KS?
Bern, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.