Kansas City, MO planting zone & frost dates
Kansas City is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 4 and the first fall frost around November 2, for a growing season of about 211 days.
Planting calendar for Kansas City
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 4) 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 7 – Feb 21 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 7 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 2).
Useful for zone 6b 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
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 17 | Apr 4 | Apr 20 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 16 | Nov 2 | Oct 21 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 20, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 21. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 26.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Kansas City
- 64101 zone 7a
- 64102 zone 7a
- 64105 zone 6b
- 64106 zone 6b
- 64108 zone 7a
- 64109 zone 6b
- 64110 zone 6b
- 64111 zone 6b
- 64112 zone 6b
- 64113 zone 6b
- 64114 zone 6b
- 64116 zone 6b
- 64117 zone 6b
- 64118 zone 6b
- 64119 zone 6b
- 64120 zone 6b
- 64121 zone 6b
- 64123 zone 6b
- 64124 zone 6b
- 64125 zone 6b
- 64126 zone 6b
- 64127 zone 6b
- 64128 zone 6b
- 64129 zone 7a
- 64130 zone 7a
- 64131 zone 6b
- 64132 zone 6b
- 64133 zone 6b
- 64134 zone 6b
- 64136 zone 6b
- 64137 zone 6b
- 64138 zone 6b
- 64139 zone 6b
- 64141 zone 7a
- 64144 zone 6b
- 64145 zone 6b
- 64146 zone 6b
- 64147 zone 6b
- 64148 zone 6b
- 64149 zone 6b
- 64151 zone 6b
- 64152 zone 6b
- 64153 zone 6b
- 64154 zone 6b
- 64155 zone 6b
- 64156 zone 6a
- 64157 zone 6a
- 64158 zone 6b
- 64161 zone 6b
- 64162 zone 6b
- 64163 zone 6b
- 64164 zone 6b
- 64165 zone 6a
- 64166 zone 6a
- 64167 zone 6a
- 64168 zone 6b
- 64170 zone 6b
- 64171 zone 6b
- 64179 zone 7a
- 64180 zone 6b
- 64184 zone 6b
- 64187 zone 6b
- 64188 zone 6b
- 64190 zone 6b
- 64191 zone 6b
- 64195 zone 6b
- 64196 zone 6b
- 64197 zone 6b
- 64198 zone 6b
- 64199 zone 6b
- 64999 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Gladstone zone 6b, last frost Apr 4
- Raytown zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
- Independence zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
- Liberty zone 6a, last frost Apr 19
- Grandview zone 6b, last frost Apr 7
- Lee's Summit zone 6b, last frost Apr 13
- Blue Springs zone 6b, last frost Apr 7
- Raymore zone 6b, last frost Apr 13
Questions
What growing zone is Kansas City, MO?
Kansas City is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zones 6a, 7a.
When is the last frost in Kansas City?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Kansas City is April 4. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 20.
When can I plant tomatoes in Kansas City?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 11 – Apr 18. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Kansas City Downtown Ap, MO (USW00013988), 2.8 km (1.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 226 m, based on 29 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.