Ford, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season182 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Ford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ford falls between April 7 and May 4, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 182-day growing season is longer than 33% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 128 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 7 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Ford, KS
Ford, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 21, first frost Oct 20, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ford, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Dodge City, KS weather station, 23 km away (elevation 2,589 ft (789 m)).
Frost dates near Ford
- Bucklin Apr 21 · Oct 22
- Fort Dodge Apr 21 · Oct 20
- Wright Apr 21 · Oct 20
- Spearville Apr 21 · Oct 20
- Dodge City Apr 21 · Oct 20
- Mullinville Apr 21 · Oct 22
- Minneola Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Offerle Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Greensburg Apr 21 · Oct 22
- Ensign Apr 23 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ford, KS?
The median last spring frost in Ford, KS is April 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ford, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Ford, KS?
About 182 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ford, KS?
Ford, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.