Hays 1 S, KS Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 25
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
173 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 12 Apr 25 May 8
First fall frost Oct 26 Oct 15 Sep 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 15 · first Oct 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the HAYS 1 S 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 Hays 1 S

Computed from Hays 1 S'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 28 – Mar 14 May 2 – May 9
🫑 Peppers Feb 14 – Feb 28 May 9 – May 16
🥬 Lettuce Mar 14 – Mar 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11 Mar 28 – Apr 25
🫛 Peas Mar 14 – Mar 28
🥕 Carrots Apr 4 – Apr 25
🥦 Broccoli Mar 7 – Mar 21 Apr 4 – Apr 18
🥬 Kale Mar 14 – Mar 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11 Mar 28 – Apr 11
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 28 – Apr 4 May 2 – May 9 May 2 – May 9
🥒 Zucchini Mar 28 – Apr 4 May 2 – May 9 May 2 – May 9
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 2 – May 9
🌽 Sweet Corn May 2 – May 9
🌿 Basil Mar 14 – Mar 28 May 2 – May 9 May 9 – May 16
🧄 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 Hays 1 S's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Hays 1 S

Roughly 173 frost-free days gives Hays 1 S gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 25; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 15 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Hays 1 S, KS?

The average last spring frost in Hays 1 S is around Apr 25, 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 Hays 1 S, KS?

The average first fall frost in Hays 1 S 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 Hays 1 S?

About 173 frost-free days on average, from Apr 25 to Oct 15. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Hays 1 S 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.