Wichita, KS planting zone & frost dates
Wichita is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 11 and the first fall frost around October 29, for a growing season of about 199 days.
Planting calendar for Wichita
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 11) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 3 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 29).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 25 | Apr 11 | Apr 26 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 10 | Oct 29 | Oct 15 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 26, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 15. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 31.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Wichita
- 67201 zone 7a
- 67202 zone 7a
- 67203 zone 7a
- 67204 zone 7a
- 67205 zone 7a
- 67206 zone 7a
- 67207 zone 7a
- 67208 zone 7a
- 67209 zone 7a
- 67210 zone 7a
- 67211 zone 7a
- 67212 zone 7a
- 67213 zone 7a
- 67214 zone 7a
- 67215 zone 7a
- 67216 zone 7a
- 67217 zone 7a
- 67218 zone 7a
- 67219 zone 7a
- 67220 zone 7a
- 67223 zone 7a
- 67226 zone 7a
- 67227 zone 7a
- 67228 zone 7a
- 67230 zone 7a
- 67232 zone 7a
- 67235 zone 7a
- 67260 zone 7a
- 67275 zone 7a
- 67276 zone 7a
- 67277 zone 7a
- 67278 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Haysville zone 7a, last frost Apr 14
- Derby zone 7a, last frost Apr 14
- Andover zone 7a, last frost Apr 10
- Newton zone 6b, last frost Apr 14
- El Dorado zone 6b, last frost Apr 13
- Winfield zone 7a, last frost Apr 16
- Hutchinson zone 6b, last frost Apr 18
- Arkansas City zone 7a, last frost Apr 11
Questions
What growing zone is Wichita, KS?
Wichita is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Wichita?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Wichita is April 11. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 26.
When can I plant tomatoes in Wichita?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 18 – Apr 25. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Wichita, KS (USW00003928), 10.2 km (6.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 407 m, based on 28 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.