Downs, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Downs compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Downs falls between April 13 and May 13, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 10% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 145 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Downs, KS
Downs, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 15, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Downs, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Glen Elder Lake, KS weather station, 20 km away (elevation 1,499 ft (457 m)).
Frost dates near Downs
- Cawker City Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Portis Apr 29 · Oct 12
- Osborne Apr 29 · Oct 12
- Tipton Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Glen Elder Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Esbon Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Gaylord Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Hunter Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Lebanon Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Alton Apr 29 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Downs, KS?
The median last spring frost in Downs, KS is April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Downs, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Downs, KS?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Downs, KS?
Downs, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.