Frost dates for 66044 — Lawrence, KS
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Lawrence compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lawrence falls between April 5 and May 6, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 179-day growing season is longer than 28% 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 123 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Olathe, KS, 37 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 23 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 Lawrence, KS
Frost dates for 66044 — Lawrence, KS — last frost Apr 21, first frost Oct 17, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lawrence, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Lawrence Muni Ap, KS weather station, 2 km away (elevation 833 ft (254 m)).
ZIP codes in Lawrence: 66044 66045 66046 66047 66049
Frost dates near Lawrence
- Lacygne Apr 21 · Oct 17
- Tonganoxie Apr 21 · Oct 17
- Eudora Apr 21 · Oct 17
- Linwood Apr 16 · Oct 22
- Mc Louth Apr 16 · Oct 22
- Perry Apr 13 · Oct 24
- Lecompton Apr 13 · Oct 24
- De Soto Apr 13 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lawrence, KS?
The median last spring frost in Lawrence, KS is April 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lawrence, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Lawrence, KS?
About 179 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lawrence, KS?
Lawrence, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.