Last frost date in Lawrence, KS

Average last frost
April 12

Expect the last frost in Lawrence around April 12. Frost after April 24 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 28, which leaves 199 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 14 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 24
Average first frost
Oct 28
Frost-free season
199 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 3
Next 7 nights in Lawrence

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2253°
  2. FriOct 2355°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2554°
  5. MonOct 2649°
  6. TueOct 2746°
  7. WedOct 2849°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 12First frost Oct 28199 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND199 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Lawrence, 0.8 miles from Lawrence.

Planting calendar for Lawrence

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 19–May 3
PumpkinsApr 26–May 10
SunflowersApr 12–May 3
CucumbersApr 26–May 3
CornApr 19–May 3
Sweet potatoesMay 3–May 17
WatermelonApr 26–May 10
Green beansApr 19–May 10
ZucchiniApr 19–May 3
OkraMay 3–May 17
PeppersApr 26–May 10
BasilApr 19–May 3
Butternut squashApr 19–May 3
CantaloupeApr 26–May 10
EggplantApr 26–May 10
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 15–Mar 29
OnionsMar 1–Mar 22
CarrotsMar 22–Apr 26
LettuceMar 29–Apr 19
BroccoliMar 15–Mar 29
BeetsMar 15–Apr 26
PeasMar 1–Mar 15
CabbageMar 15–Mar 29
RadishesMar 8–Apr 19
Brussels sproutsMar 29–Apr 12
SpinachMar 1–Mar 22
CilantroMar 29–Apr 19
KaleMar 15–Mar 29
Collard greensMar 15–Mar 29
TurnipsMar 15–Mar 29
DillApr 12–Apr 26
CeleryApr 19–Apr 26
CauliflowerMar 29–Apr 12
LeeksMar 29–Apr 12
Swiss chardMar 29–Apr 26
ParsleyMar 29–Apr 19
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 14–Nov 18
GarlicOct 7–Nov 11
Daffodil bulbsSep 30–Nov 11
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 15–Mar 29
AsparagusMar 15–Mar 29

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 30Apr 12Apr 24Oct 14Oct 28Nov 9
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 16Apr 3Apr 17Oct 22Nov 4Nov 20

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 Lawrence (USC00144559) sits 0.8 miles from the center of Lawrence at 1,050 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 Lawrence, KS?

The average last frost date in Lawrence is April 12, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 24.

When is the first frost in Lawrence?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 28. One year in ten it arrives before October 14.

How long is the growing season in Lawrence?

About 199 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lawrence?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 19 to May 3. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Kansas

All 22 cities in Kansas