Garden City, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season172 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Garden City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Garden City falls between April 13 and May 9, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 172-day growing season is longer than 14% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 148 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 Garden City, KS
Garden City, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 17, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Garden City, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Garden City Exp Stn, KS weather station, 5 km away (elevation 2,890 ft (881 m)).
Frost dates near Garden City
- Holcomb Apr 28 · Oct 17
- Pierceville Apr 27 · Oct 15
- Deerfield Apr 18 · Oct 23
- Ingalls Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Lakin Apr 18 · Oct 23
- Cimarron Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Copeland Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Sublette Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Montezuma Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Scott City Apr 30 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Garden City, KS?
The median last spring frost in Garden City, KS is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Garden City, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Garden City, KS?
About 172 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Garden City, KS?
Garden City, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.