Frost dates for 66502 — Manhattan, KS
Last spring frostApr 16median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season186 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Manhattan compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Manhattan falls between April 1 and May 1, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Kansas median of Apr 18.
- Its 186-day growing season is longer than 47% of the 632 Kansas places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 13 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 125 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Topeka, KS, 78 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 3 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 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 Manhattan, KS
Frost dates for 66502 — Manhattan, KS — last frost Apr 16, first frost Oct 19, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 21
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Manhattan, KS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 19 – Apr 23 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Basil | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
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 Manhattan, KS weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,060 ft (323 m)).
ZIP codes in Manhattan: 66502 66503 66505 66506
Frost dates near Manhattan
- Saint George Apr 18 · Oct 19
- Ogden Apr 21 · Oct 16
- Fort Riley Apr 12 · Oct 26
- Wamego Apr 18 · Oct 19
- Riley Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Olsburg Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Westmoreland Apr 18 · Oct 19
- Milford Apr 12 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Manhattan, KS?
The median last spring frost in Manhattan, KS is April 16. 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 Manhattan, KS?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Manhattan, KS?
About 186 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Manhattan, KS?
Manhattan, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.