Tribune 1W, KS Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Tribune 1W garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 2
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 11
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
162 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 20 May 2 May 16
First fall frost Oct 20 Oct 11 Sep 30
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 23 · first Oct 19

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the TRIBUNE 1W 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 Tribune 1W

Computed from Tribune 1W'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 Mar 7 – Mar 21 May 9 – May 16
🫑 Peppers Feb 21 – Mar 7 May 16 – May 23
🥬 Lettuce Mar 21 – Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 4 – May 2
🫛 Peas Mar 21 – Apr 4
🥕 Carrots Apr 11 – May 2
🥦 Broccoli Mar 14 – Mar 28 Apr 11 – Apr 25
🥬 Kale Mar 21 – Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 4 – Apr 18
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 4 – Apr 11 May 9 – May 16 May 9 – May 16
🥒 Zucchini Apr 4 – Apr 11 May 9 – May 16 May 9 – May 16
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 9 – May 16
🌽 Sweet Corn May 9 – May 16
🌿 Basil Mar 21 – Apr 4 May 9 – May 16 May 16 – May 23
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 30 – Sep 27

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 Tribune 1W's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Tribune 1W

Roughly 162 frost-free days gives Tribune 1W gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 2; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 11 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Tribune 1W, KS?

The average last spring frost in Tribune 1W is around May 2, 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 Tribune 1W, KS?

The average first fall frost in Tribune 1W arrives around Oct 11. 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 Tribune 1W?

About 162 frost-free days on average, from May 2 to Oct 11. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Tribune 1W in?

USDA zone 6a 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.