When is the last frost in Topeka, KS?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Topeka is April 12, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until April 27.

When is the first frost in Topeka?

The average first fall frost in Topeka is October 23, with a growing season of about 191 days.

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Topeka, Kansas frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 12. Average first fall frost: October 23. That gives a growing season of about 191 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is April 27, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 12

1-in-10 risk after Apr 27

First frost (50%)

Oct 23

1-in-10 risk before Oct 8

Growing season

191 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Mar 31

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	March 29	November 4
70%	April 6	October 28
50%	April 12	October 23
30%	April 19	October 19
10%	April 27	October 8

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after April 27. These are NOAA probabilities for the Topeka Muni Airport weather station (USW00013996, elevation 267 m), 1991–2020.

Topeka vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 12). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Apr 27) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 22	Apr 19 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 1	Mar 15
Brussels sprouts	Feb 1	Mar 15
Cabbage	Jan 25	Mar 8
Cauliflower	Feb 15	Mar 29
Sweet corn	Mar 15	Apr 12 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Mar 29	Apr 19
Kale	Jan 25	Mar 8
Leeks	Dec 28	Mar 8
Lettuce	Feb 22	Mar 29
Melons	Apr 5	Apr 26
Onions	Dec 21	Mar 1 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 15	Mar 15 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 1	Apr 26
Squash	Apr 5	Apr 26
Tomatoes	Feb 15	Apr 12

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 23. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 8. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 1.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Kansas City, MO	Apr 13	Oct 24	~81 km
Lincoln, NE	Apr 24	Oct 13	~220 km
Wichita, KS	Apr 11	Oct 29	~222 km
Omaha, NE	Apr 18	Oct 21	~250 km
Springfield, MO	Apr 9	Oct 27	~280 km
Tulsa, OK	Mar 31	Nov 4	~320 km

More: all Kansas frost dates