When to plant in Atchison, KS
USDA Zone 6aAtchison, Kansas frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 6a means Atchison sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
ATCHISON · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Atchison’s own odds, recorded at ATCHISON.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 3 | Apr 21 | Apr 7 | Oct 2 | Oct 20 | Oct 31 |
| 32°F | Apr 23 | Apr 11 | Mar 29 | Oct 15 | Oct 29 | Nov 10 |
| 28°F | Apr 14 | Apr 1 | Mar 15 | Oct 22 | Nov 5 | Nov 21 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Atchison, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 30 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Atchison planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Atchison, KS?
On average, the last spring frost in Atchison is around April 11 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Atchison, KS?
In Atchison, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 29 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Atchison in?
Atchison is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Atchison?
There are roughly 201 frost-free days in Atchison (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 11 to the first fall frost near October 29.
When should I plant tomatoes in Atchison?
In Atchison, start tomato seeds indoors around February 14–February 28, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 18 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Atchison
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Atchison’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Leavenworth · 32 km
- St. Joseph · 35 km
- Lansing · 41 km
- Smithville · 52 km
- Kansas City · 60 km
- Gladstone · 63 km
- Shawnee · 67 km
- Lawrence · 68 km
Frost dates recorded at ATCHISON, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Atchison, KS — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00140405. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/kansas/atchison.