Manhattan 6 SSW, KS Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Manhattan 6 SSW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 19
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 17
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
181 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 4 Apr 19 May 6
First fall frost Oct 29 Oct 17 Oct 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 9 · first Oct 25

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MANHATTAN 6 SSW station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Manhattan 6 SSW

Computed from Manhattan 6 SSW's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 22 – Mar 8 Apr 26 – May 3
🫑 Peppers Feb 8 – Feb 22 May 3 – May 10
🥬 Lettuce Mar 8 – Mar 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5 Mar 22 – Apr 19
🫛 Peas Mar 8 – Mar 22
🥕 Carrots Mar 29 – Apr 19
🥦 Broccoli Mar 1 – Mar 15 Mar 29 – Apr 12
🥬 Kale Mar 8 – Mar 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5 Mar 22 – Apr 5
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 22 – Mar 29 Apr 26 – May 3 Apr 26 – May 3
🥒 Zucchini Mar 22 – Mar 29 Apr 26 – May 3 Apr 26 – May 3
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 26 – May 3
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 26 – May 3
🌿 Basil Mar 8 – Mar 22 Apr 26 – May 3 May 3 – May 10
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 5 – Oct 3

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Manhattan 6 SSW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Manhattan 6 SSW

Roughly 181 frost-free days gives Manhattan 6 SSW gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 19; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 17 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Manhattan 6 SSW, KS?

The average last spring frost in Manhattan 6 SSW is around Apr 19, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Manhattan 6 SSW, KS?

The average first fall frost in Manhattan 6 SSW arrives around Oct 17. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Manhattan 6 SSW?

About 181 frost-free days on average, from Apr 19 to Oct 17. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Manhattan 6 SSW in?

USDA zone 6b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.