Last frost date in Hutchinson, KS

Average last frost
April 18

Expect the last frost in Hutchinson around April 18. Frost after May 2 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 21, which leaves 186 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 7 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 2
Average first frost
Oct 21
Frost-free season
186 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 7
Next 7 nights in Hutchinson

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 21.

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

  1. ThuOct 2256°
  2. FriOct 2357°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2554°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2745°
  7. WedOct 2849°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 18First frost Oct 21186 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND186 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Hutchinson, 1.8 miles from Hutchinson.

Planting calendar for Hutchinson

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 25–May 9
PumpkinsMay 2–May 16
SunflowersApr 18–May 9
CucumbersMay 2–May 9
CornApr 25–May 9
Sweet potatoesMay 9–May 23
WatermelonMay 2–May 16
Green beansApr 25–May 16
ZucchiniApr 25–May 9
OkraMay 9–May 23
PeppersMay 2–May 16
BasilApr 25–May 9
Butternut squashApr 25–May 9
CantaloupeMay 2–May 16
EggplantMay 2–May 16
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 21–Apr 4
OnionsMar 7–Mar 28
CarrotsMar 28–May 2
LettuceApr 4–Apr 25
BroccoliMar 21–Apr 4
BeetsMar 21–May 2
PeasMar 7–Mar 21
CabbageMar 21–Apr 4
RadishesMar 14–Apr 25
Brussels sproutsApr 4–Apr 18
SpinachMar 7–Mar 28
CilantroApr 4–Apr 25
KaleMar 21–Apr 4
Collard greensMar 21–Apr 4
TurnipsMar 21–Apr 4
DillApr 18–May 2
CeleryApr 25–May 2
CauliflowerApr 4–Apr 18
LeeksApr 4–Apr 18
Swiss chardApr 4–May 2
ParsleyApr 4–Apr 25
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 7–Nov 11
GarlicSep 30–Nov 4
Daffodil bulbsSep 23–Nov 4
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 21–Apr 4
AsparagusMar 21–Apr 4

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 2Apr 18May 2Oct 7Oct 21Nov 4
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 21Apr 7Apr 23Oct 17Oct 31Nov 14

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 Hutchinson (USC00143929) sits 1.8 miles from the center of Hutchinson at 1,540 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 Hutchinson, KS?

The average last frost date in Hutchinson is April 18, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 2.

When is the first frost in Hutchinson?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 21. One year in ten it arrives before October 7.

How long is the growing season in Hutchinson?

About 186 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Hutchinson?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 25 to May 9. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Kansas

All 22 cities in Kansas