Bird City, KS frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season161 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Bird City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bird City falls between April 21 and May 17, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 23.
- The median last frost is 16 days later than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 161-day growing season is longer than 3% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later 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 153 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 90% (late) | October 23 |
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 Bird City, KS
Bird City, KS frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 12, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bird City, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
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 Mc Donald, KS weather station, 14 km away (elevation 3,363 ft (1,025 m)).
Frost dates near Bird City
- Mc Donald May 4 · Oct 12
- Saint Francis Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Atwood May 2 · Oct 8
- Edson May 9 · Oct 4
- Brewster May 9 · Oct 4
- Goodland May 2 · Oct 11
- Levant May 2 · Oct 9
- Ludell May 2 · Oct 8
- Colby May 2 · Oct 9
- Kanorado May 6 · Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bird City, KS?
The median last spring frost in Bird City, KS is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bird City, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Bird City, KS?
About 161 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bird City, KS?
Bird City, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.