Smith Center, KS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Smith Center compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Smith Center falls between April 9 and May 7, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 20% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 136 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 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 Smith Center, KS
Smith Center, KS frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 15, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Smith Center, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Smith Ctr, KS weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,821 ft (555 m)).
Frost dates near Smith Center
- Athol Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Gaylord Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Lebanon Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Cedar Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Kensington Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Agra Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Esbon Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Portis Apr 29 · Oct 12
- Kirwin Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Burr Oak Apr 30 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Smith Center, KS?
The median last spring frost in Smith Center, KS is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Smith Center, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Smith Center, KS?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Smith Center, KS?
Smith Center, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.