When to plant in Emporia, KS
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Emporia, Kansas — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6b means Emporia sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
EMPORIA 3 NW · 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 Emporia’s own odds, recorded at EMPORIA 3 NW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 8 | Apr 26 | Apr 11 | Sep 28 | Oct 13 | Oct 26 |
| 32°F | Apr 30 | Apr 15 | Apr 2 | Oct 8 | Oct 23 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Mar 21 | Oct 18 | Nov 1 | Nov 17 |
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 Emporia, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 31 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.
Emporia planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Emporia, KS?
Emporia's average last spring frost falls near April 15 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Emporia, KS?
Expect Emporia's first fall frost near October 23 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Emporia in?
Emporia is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. In zone 6b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Emporia?
There are roughly 191 frost-free days in Emporia (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 15 to the first fall frost near October 23.
When should I plant tomatoes in Emporia?
In Emporia, start tomato seeds indoors around February 18–March 4, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 22 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Emporia
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Emporia’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at EMPORIA 3 NW, 4 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 Emporia, KS — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00142548. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/kansas/emporia.