Derby, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 14median date
First fall frostOct 22median date
Growing season191 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Derby compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Derby falls between March 30 and April 30, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 191-day growing season is longer than 63% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 114 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Wichita, KS, 18 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 22 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Derby, KS
Derby, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 22, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 19
Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Derby, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 17 – Apr 21 | Aug 27 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Basil | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 21 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 8 – Nov 12 |
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 Haysville 3se, KS weather station, 6 km away (elevation 1,240 ft (378 m)).
Frost dates near Derby
- Mcconnell Afb Apr 14 · Oct 22
- Mulvane Apr 14 · Oct 22
- Haysville Apr 14 · Oct 22
- Peck Apr 14 · Oct 22
- Rose Hill Apr 14 · Oct 22
- Belle Plaine Apr 14 · Oct 22
- Wichita Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Andover Apr 10 · Oct 27
- Udall Apr 16 · Oct 22
- Clearwater Apr 14 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Derby, KS?
The median last spring frost in Derby, KS is April 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Derby, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in Derby, KS?
About 191 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Derby, KS?
Derby, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.