When to plant in Gardner, KS
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Gardner, Kansas — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6b, Gardner gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
OLATHE JOHNSON CO AP · 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 Gardner’s own odds, recorded at OLATHE JOHNSON CO AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 6 | Apr 23 | Apr 9 | Sep 30 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F | Apr 29 | Apr 13 | Mar 30 | Oct 10 | Oct 24 | Nov 4 |
| 28°F | Apr 19 | Apr 3 | Mar 16 | Oct 20 | Nov 2 | Nov 18 |
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 Gardner, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 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.
Gardner planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Gardner, KS?
On average, the last spring frost in Gardner is around April 13 (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 Gardner, KS?
Expect Gardner's first fall frost near October 24 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Gardner in?
Gardner 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 Gardner?
Gardner has about 194 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 13) and first fall frost (October 24).
When should I plant tomatoes in Gardner?
For Gardner, sow tomatoes indoors about February 16–March 2 and move the seedlings out around April 20, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Gardner
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Gardner’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Olathe · 12 km
- Lenexa · 20 km
- Overland Park · 22 km
- Shawnee · 25 km
- Leawood · 28 km
- Merriam · 30 km
- Prairie Village · 32 km
- Belton · 34 km
Frost dates recorded at OLATHE JOHNSON CO AP, 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 Gardner, KS — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093909. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/kansas/gardner.