Last frost date in Garden City, KS
In Garden City, the last spring frost comes around April 28 in an average year. Wait until May 9 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 17, which leaves 171 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 1 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 9
- Average first frost
- Oct 17
- Frost-free season
- 171 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 17
No frost in the next 7 nights
Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 17.
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2257°
- FriOct 2358°
- SatOct 2451°
- SunOct 2547°
- MonOct 2639°
- TueOct 2741°
- WedOct 2843°
Planting calendar for Garden City
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Kansas.
TomatoesMay 5–May 19
PumpkinsMay 12–May 26
SunflowersApr 28–May 19
CucumbersMay 12–May 19
CornMay 5–May 19
Sweet potatoesMay 19–Jun 2
WatermelonMay 12–May 26
Green beansMay 5–May 26
ZucchiniMay 5–May 19
OkraMay 19–Jun 2
PeppersMay 12–May 26
BasilMay 5–May 19
Butternut squashMay 5–May 19
CantaloupeMay 12–May 26
EggplantMay 12–May 26
PotatoesMar 31–Apr 14
OnionsMar 17–Apr 7
CarrotsApr 7–May 12
LettuceApr 14–May 5
BroccoliMar 31–Apr 14
BeetsMar 31–May 12
PeasMar 17–Mar 31
CabbageMar 31–Apr 14
RadishesMar 24–May 5
Brussels sproutsApr 14–Apr 28
SpinachMar 17–Apr 7
CilantroApr 14–May 5
KaleMar 31–Apr 14
Collard greensMar 31–Apr 14
TurnipsMar 31–Apr 14
DillApr 28–May 12
CeleryMay 5–May 12
CauliflowerApr 14–Apr 28
LeeksApr 14–Apr 28
Swiss chardApr 14–May 12
ParsleyApr 14–May 5
Tulip bulbsOct 3–Nov 7
GarlicSep 26–Oct 31
Daffodil bulbsSep 19–Oct 31
StrawberriesMar 31–Apr 14
AsparagusMar 31–Apr 14Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 13 | Apr 28 | May 9 | Oct 1 | Oct 17 | Oct 28 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Apr 2 | Apr 17 | May 2 | Oct 12 | Oct 25 | Nov 6 |
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 Garden City Experiment Station (USC00142980) sits 2.4 miles from the center of Garden City at 2,890 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 Garden City, KS?
The average last frost date in Garden City is April 28, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 9.
When is the first frost in Garden City?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 17. One year in ten it arrives before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Garden City?
About 171 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Garden City?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 5 to May 19. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Kansas
- Dodge CityApr 21
- HaysApr 19
- HutchinsonApr 18
- SalinaApr 18
- WichitaApr 11
- DerbyApr 14
- Junction CityApr 12
- ManhattanApr 16
- EmporiaApr 15
- TopekaApr 16
- LawrenceApr 12
- GardnerApr 13