Last frost date in Hays, KS
The average last frost in Hays is April 19. By May 2 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 22, which leaves 184 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 6 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 2
- Average first frost
- Oct 22
- Frost-free season
- 184 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 9
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2258°
- FriOct 2359°
- SatOct 2452°
- SunOct 2549°
- MonOct 2640°
- TueOct 2741°
- WedOct 2844°
Planting calendar for Hays
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Kansas.
TomatoesApr 26–May 10
PumpkinsMay 3–May 17
SunflowersApr 19–May 10
CucumbersMay 3–May 10
CornApr 26–May 10
Sweet potatoesMay 10–May 24
WatermelonMay 3–May 17
Green beansApr 26–May 17
ZucchiniApr 26–May 10
OkraMay 10–May 24
PeppersMay 3–May 17
BasilApr 26–May 10
Butternut squashApr 26–May 10
CantaloupeMay 3–May 17
EggplantMay 3–May 17
PotatoesMar 22–Apr 5
OnionsMar 8–Mar 29
CarrotsMar 29–May 3
LettuceApr 5–Apr 26
BroccoliMar 22–Apr 5
BeetsMar 22–May 3
PeasMar 8–Mar 22
CabbageMar 22–Apr 5
RadishesMar 15–Apr 26
Brussels sproutsApr 5–Apr 19
SpinachMar 8–Mar 29
CilantroApr 5–Apr 26
KaleMar 22–Apr 5
Collard greensMar 22–Apr 5
TurnipsMar 22–Apr 5
DillApr 19–May 3
CeleryApr 26–May 3
CauliflowerApr 5–Apr 19
LeeksApr 5–Apr 19
Swiss chardApr 5–May 3
ParsleyApr 5–Apr 26
Tulip bulbsOct 8–Nov 12
GarlicOct 1–Nov 5
Daffodil bulbsSep 24–Nov 5
StrawberriesMar 22–Apr 5
AsparagusMar 22–Apr 5Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 7 | Apr 19 | May 2 | Oct 6 | Oct 22 | Nov 4 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 24 | Apr 9 | Apr 22 | Oct 16 | Oct 31 | Nov 12 |
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 Hays (USC00143523) sits 1.1 miles from the center of Hays at 1,990 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 Hays, KS?
The average last frost date in Hays is April 19, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 2.
When is the first frost in Hays?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 22. One year in ten it arrives before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Hays?
About 184 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Hays?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 26 to May 10. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Kansas
- Dodge CityApr 21
- SalinaApr 18
- HutchinsonApr 18
- Garden CityApr 28
- Junction CityApr 12
- WichitaApr 11
- DerbyApr 14
- ManhattanApr 16
- EmporiaApr 15
- TopekaApr 16
- LawrenceApr 12
- GardnerApr 13