Great Bend 3W, KS Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Great Bend 3W garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 24
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
174 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 10 Apr 24 May 7
First fall frost Oct 27 Oct 15 Sep 30
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 14 · first Oct 25

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the GREAT BEND 3W 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 Great Bend 3W

Computed from Great Bend 3W's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 27 – Mar 13 May 1 – May 8
🫑 Peppers Feb 13 – Feb 27 May 8 – May 15
🥬 Lettuce Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Mar 27 – Apr 24
🫛 Peas Mar 13 – Mar 27
🥕 Carrots Apr 3 – Apr 24
🥦 Broccoli Mar 6 – Mar 20 Apr 3 – Apr 17
🥬 Kale Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Mar 27 – Apr 10
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 27 – Apr 3 May 1 – May 8 May 1 – May 8
🥒 Zucchini Mar 27 – Apr 3 May 1 – May 8 May 1 – May 8
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 1 – May 8
🌽 Sweet Corn May 1 – May 8
🌿 Basil Mar 13 – Mar 27 May 1 – May 8 May 8 – May 15
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 3 – Oct 1

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 Great Bend 3W's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Great Bend 3W

Roughly 174 frost-free days gives Great Bend 3W gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 24; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 15 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Great Bend 3W, KS?

The average last spring frost in Great Bend 3W is around Apr 24, 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 Great Bend 3W, KS?

The average first fall frost in Great Bend 3W arrives around Oct 15. 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 Great Bend 3W?

About 174 frost-free days on average, from Apr 24 to Oct 15. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Great Bend 3W in?

USDA zone 5b 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.