Hays, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 22median date
Growing season186 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Hays compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Hays falls between April 7 and May 2, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 186-day growing season is longer than 47% 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 124 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 7 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 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 Hays, KS
Hays, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 22, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hays, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 27 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| 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 Hays, KS weather station, 2 km away (elevation 1,991 ft (607 m)).
Frost dates near Hays
- Catharine Apr 19 · Oct 22
- Victoria Apr 19 · Oct 22
- Schoenchen Apr 25 · Oct 15
- Ellis Apr 25 · Oct 15
- Walker Apr 19 · Oct 22
- Pfeifer Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Liebenthal Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Gorham Apr 22 · Oct 17
- Ogallah Apr 23 · Oct 18
- Mc Cracken Apr 29 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hays, KS?
The median last spring frost in Hays, KS is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Hays, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Hays, KS?
About 186 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hays, KS?
Hays, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.