When to plant in Great Bend, KS
USDA Zone 6bGreat Bend, Kansas frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 6b means Great Bend sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average last spring frost in Great Bend is now 9 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
GREAT BEND 3W · 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 Great Bend’s own odds, recorded at GREAT BEND 3W.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 16 | May 3 | Apr 20 | Sep 22 | Oct 5 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 7 | Apr 24 | Apr 10 | Sep 30 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
| 28°F | Apr 28 | Apr 14 | Apr 1 | Oct 10 | Oct 25 | Nov 7 |
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 Great Bend, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 32 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.
Great Bend planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Great Bend, KS?
On average, the last spring frost in Great Bend is around April 24 (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 Great Bend, KS?
Expect Great Bend's first fall frost near October 15 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Great Bend in?
Great Bend 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 Great Bend?
There are roughly 174 frost-free days in Great Bend (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 24 to the first fall frost near October 15.
When should I plant tomatoes in Great Bend?
In Great Bend, start tomato seeds indoors around February 27–March 13, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 1 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Great Bend
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Great Bend’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Hays · 74 km
- Hutchinson · 84 km
- McPherson · 99 km
- Salina · 115 km
- Dodge City · 126 km
- Newton · 132 km
- Wichita · 147 km
- Haysville · 154 km
Frost dates recorded at GREAT BEND 3W, 2 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 Great Bend, KS — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00143218. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/kansas/great-bend.