Junction City, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 12median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season197 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Junction City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Junction City falls between March 29 and April 29, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 13 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 197-day growing season is longer than 75% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 10 days earlier 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 122 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Manhattan, KS, 30 km away, the last frost here is 10 days earlier than there and the growing season is 16 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 29 |
| 50% (median) | April 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 13 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Junction City, KS
Junction City, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 12, first frost Oct 26, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 17
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Junction City, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Basil | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 19 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
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 Milford Lake, KS weather station, 7 km away (elevation 1,214 ft (370 m)).
Frost dates near Junction City
- Fort Riley Apr 12 · Oct 26
- Ogden Apr 21 · Oct 16
- Milford Apr 12 · Oct 26
- Chapman Apr 17 · Oct 20
- Woodbine Apr 24 · Oct 14
- Wakefield Apr 19 · Oct 19
- Enterprise Apr 14 · Oct 23
- White City Apr 24 · Oct 14
- Manhattan Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Riley Apr 22 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Junction City, KS?
The median last spring frost in Junction City, KS is April 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Junction City, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 13.
How long is the growing season in Junction City, KS?
About 197 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Junction City, KS?
Junction City, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.