Last frost date in Wichita, KS

Average last frost
April 11

Expect the last frost in Wichita around April 11. Frost after April 26 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 29, which leaves 199 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 15 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 26
Average first frost
Oct 29
Frost-free season
199 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 31
Next 7 nights in Wichita

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2256°
  2. FriOct 2358°
  3. SatOct 2456°
  4. SunOct 2556°
  5. MonOct 2649°
  6. TueOct 2747°
  7. WedOct 2851°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 11First frost Oct 29199 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND199 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Wichita, 5.9 miles from Wichita.

Planting calendar for Wichita

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 18–May 2
PumpkinsApr 25–May 9
SunflowersApr 11–May 2
CucumbersApr 25–May 2
CornApr 18–May 2
Sweet potatoesMay 2–May 16
WatermelonApr 25–May 9
Green beansApr 18–May 9
ZucchiniApr 18–May 2
OkraMay 2–May 16
PeppersApr 25–May 9
BasilApr 18–May 2
Butternut squashApr 18–May 2
CantaloupeApr 25–May 9
EggplantApr 25–May 9
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 14–Mar 28
OnionsFeb 28–Mar 21
CarrotsMar 21–Apr 25
LettuceMar 28–Apr 18
BroccoliMar 14–Mar 28
BeetsMar 14–Apr 25
PeasFeb 28–Mar 14
CabbageMar 14–Mar 28
RadishesMar 7–Apr 18
Brussels sproutsMar 28–Apr 11
SpinachFeb 28–Mar 21
CilantroMar 28–Apr 18
KaleMar 14–Mar 28
Collard greensMar 14–Mar 28
TurnipsMar 14–Mar 28
DillApr 11–Apr 25
CeleryApr 18–Apr 25
CauliflowerMar 28–Apr 11
LeeksMar 28–Apr 11
Swiss chardMar 28–Apr 25
ParsleyMar 28–Apr 18
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 15–Nov 19
GarlicOct 8–Nov 12
Daffodil bulbsOct 1–Nov 12
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 14–Mar 28
AsparagusMar 14–Mar 28

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 25Apr 11Apr 26Oct 15Oct 29Nov 10
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 12Mar 31Apr 17Oct 24Nov 6Nov 22

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 Wichita (USW00003928) sits 5.9 miles from the center of Wichita at 1,335 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 Wichita, KS?

The average last frost date in Wichita is April 11, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 26.

When is the first frost in Wichita?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 29. One year in ten it arrives before October 15.

How long is the growing season in Wichita?

About 199 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Wichita?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 18 to May 2. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Kansas

All 22 cities in Kansas