Madison, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 12median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season194 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Madison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madison falls between March 29 and April 27, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 194-day growing season is longer than 69% 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 111 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Topeka, KS, 108 km away, the last frost here is 4 days earlier than there and the growing season is 5 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 29 |
| 50% (median) | April 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 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 Madison, KS
Madison, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 12, first frost Oct 23, 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 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
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: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
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: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 17
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madison, 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 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| 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 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 19 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| 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 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 Emporia Muni Ap, KS weather station, 23 km away (elevation 1,211 ft (369 m)).
Frost dates near Madison
- Lamont Apr 12 · Oct 23
- Olpe Apr 12 · Oct 23
- Hamilton Apr 16 · Oct 20
- Hartford Apr 12 · Oct 23
- Gridley Apr 11 · Oct 26
- Virgil Apr 16 · Oct 20
- Neosho Rapids Apr 12 · Oct 23
- Emporia Apr 15 · Oct 23
- Neal Apr 16 · Oct 20
- Burlington Apr 11 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madison, KS?
The median last spring frost in Madison, KS is April 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Madison, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Madison, KS?
About 194 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madison, KS?
Madison, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.