When to Plant in Kansas: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 704 Kansas ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Apr 16 and the median first fall frost is Oct 22 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 6 areas: Apr 26 – May 3; Zone 7 areas: Apr 17 – Apr 24.
Kansas spans USDA hardiness zones 6a–7a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 704 of its 704 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Apr 16 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Apr 8 – Apr 28) and the median first fall frost is Oct 22 (Oct 14 – Oct 29). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Kansas frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 6 (543 ZIP codes) | Olathe 3E, KS, Topeka - Nws, KS, Bonner Springs, KS | Apr 19middle 80%: Apr 10 – Apr 29 | Oct 20middle 80%: Oct 13 – Oct 29 |
| Zone 7 (157 ZIP codes) | Wichita Jabara Airport, KS, Wichita Wx, KS, Girard, KS | Apr 10middle 80%: Apr 5 – Apr 15 | Oct 27middle 80%: Oct 22 – Oct 31 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Kansas ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Arapahoe 12S, CO, Burlington, CO, Fairbury 5S, NE, Freedom 16Nne Mesonet, OK, Holly, CO, Joplin 24 N, MO…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Kansas vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Kansas, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 6 areasLast frost Apr 19 · First frost Oct 20 | Zone 7 areasLast frost Apr 10 · First frost Oct 27 |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 8 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) May 7 – Jun 10 | Feb 27 – Mar 13Harvest (est.) Apr 28 – Jun 1 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 8 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) Apr 22 – May 21 | Feb 27 – Mar 13Harvest (est.) Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) Apr 4 – May 5 | Mar 6 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 22 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) May 21 – Jun 24 | Mar 13 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) May 12 – Jun 15 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 22 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) Jun 15 – Aug 3 | Mar 13 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) Jun 6 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 22 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) May 11 – Jun 14 | Mar 13 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) May 2 – Jun 5 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 22 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) May 31 – Jul 4 | Mar 13 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) May 22 – Jun 25 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Apr 5 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 29 – Jul 31 | Mar 27 – Apr 3Harvest (est.) Jun 20 – Jul 22 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 26 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jul 5 – Aug 1 | Apr 17 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Jul 23 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 26 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jun 10 – Jul 12 | Apr 17 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) Jun 1 – Jul 3 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 26 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jun 30 – Aug 1 | Apr 17 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) Jun 21 – Jul 23 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 26 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jun 5 – Jul 7 | Apr 17 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 28 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 26 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jun 5 – Jun 22 | Apr 17 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 13 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 15 – Aug 18 | Apr 17 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jul 6 – Aug 9 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 26 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jun 7 – Jun 14 | Apr 17 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) May 29 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 7 – Jul 24 | Apr 24 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jun 28 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Aug 8 | Apr 24 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jul 3 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 28 – Aug 11Harvest (est.) Sep 16 – Oct 20 | Aug 4 – Aug 18Harvest (est.) Sep 23 – Oct 27 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 28 – Aug 11Harvest (est.) Oct 6 – Nov 9 | Aug 4 – Aug 18Harvest (est.) Oct 13 – Nov 16 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 11 – Aug 25Harvest (est.) Sep 30 – Nov 3 | Aug 18 – Sep 1Harvest (est.) Oct 7 – Nov 10 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 25 – Sep 8Harvest (est.) Oct 24 – Nov 27 | Sep 1 – Sep 15Harvest (est.) Oct 31 – Dec 4 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Sep 1 – Sep 22Harvest (est.) Oct 16 – Nov 21 | Sep 8 – Sep 29Harvest (est.) Oct 23 – Nov 28 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 8 – Sep 22Harvest (est.) Sep 28 – Oct 22 | Sep 15 – Sep 29Harvest (est.) Oct 5 – Oct 29 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 22 – Nov 3 | Sep 29 – Nov 10 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 6 – Nov 17 | Oct 13 – Nov 24 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Oct 6 – Nov 10Harvest (est.) Jun 13, 2027 – Aug 7, 2027 | Oct 13 – Nov 17Harvest (est.) Jun 20, 2027 – Aug 14, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Kansas USDA zone guides: Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Kansas gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Kansas?
Across the 704 Kansas ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Apr 16, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Apr 8 to Apr 28. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Kansas?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 6 areas: Apr 26 – May 3; Zone 7 areas: Apr 17 – Apr 24.
What USDA zone is Kansas?
Kansas spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 6a–7a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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