Last frost date in Dodge City, KS

Average last frost
April 21

The average last frost in Dodge City is April 21. By May 4 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 20, which leaves 179 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 4 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 4
Average first frost
Oct 20
Frost-free season
179 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 11
Next 7 nights in Dodge City

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 20.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2258°
  2. FriOct 2359°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2550°
  5. MonOct 2641°
  6. TueOct 2743°
  7. WedOct 2846°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 21First frost Oct 20179 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND179 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Dodge City, 2.7 miles from Dodge City.

Planting calendar for Dodge City

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Kansas.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 28–May 12
PumpkinsMay 5–May 19
SunflowersApr 21–May 12
CucumbersMay 5–May 12
CornApr 28–May 12
Sweet potatoesMay 12–May 26
WatermelonMay 5–May 19
Green beansApr 28–May 19
ZucchiniApr 28–May 12
OkraMay 12–May 26
PeppersMay 5–May 19
BasilApr 28–May 12
Butternut squashApr 28–May 12
CantaloupeMay 5–May 19
EggplantMay 5–May 19
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 24–Apr 7
OnionsMar 10–Mar 31
CarrotsMar 31–May 5
LettuceApr 7–Apr 28
BroccoliMar 24–Apr 7
BeetsMar 24–May 5
PeasMar 10–Mar 24
CabbageMar 24–Apr 7
RadishesMar 17–Apr 28
Brussels sproutsApr 7–Apr 21
SpinachMar 10–Mar 31
CilantroApr 7–Apr 28
KaleMar 24–Apr 7
Collard greensMar 24–Apr 7
TurnipsMar 24–Apr 7
DillApr 21–May 5
CeleryApr 28–May 5
CauliflowerApr 7–Apr 21
LeeksApr 7–Apr 21
Swiss chardApr 7–May 5
ParsleyApr 7–Apr 28
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 6–Nov 10
GarlicSep 29–Nov 3
Daffodil bulbsSep 22–Nov 3
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 24–Apr 7
AsparagusMar 24–Apr 7

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 7Apr 21May 4Oct 4Oct 20Nov 1
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 29Apr 11Apr 26Oct 15Oct 28Nov 10

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Dodge City (USW00013985) sits 2.7 miles from the center of Dodge City at 2,590 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Dodge City, KS?

The average last frost date in Dodge City is April 21, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 4.

When is the first frost in Dodge City?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 20. One year in ten it arrives before October 4.

How long is the growing season in Dodge City?

About 179 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Dodge City?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 28 to May 12. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Kansas

All 22 cities in Kansas