Rantoul, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season185 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Rantoul compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rantoul falls between April 5 and May 1, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and November 1.
- The median last frost is the same as the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 185-day growing season is longer than 45% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 Olathe, KS, 45 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 17 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 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 Rantoul, KS
Rantoul, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 20, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rantoul, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 21 – Apr 25 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| 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 Ottawa, KS weather station, 15 km away (elevation 906 ft (276 m)).
Frost dates near Rantoul
- Ottawa Apr 18 · Oct 20
- Lane Apr 14 · Oct 25
- Princeton Apr 18 · Oct 20
- Osawatomie Apr 14 · Oct 25
- Wellsville Apr 9 · Oct 31
- Paola Apr 13 · Oct 21
- Richmond Apr 17 · Oct 22
- Greeley Apr 17 · Oct 22
- Hillsdale Apr 9 · Oct 31
- Edgerton Apr 13 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rantoul, KS?
The median last spring frost in Rantoul, KS is April 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rantoul, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Rantoul, KS?
About 185 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rantoul, KS?
Rantoul, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.