When to plant in Topeka, KS
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Topeka, Kansas — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6b, Topeka gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
TOPEKA - NWS · 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 Topeka’s own odds, recorded at TOPEKA - NWS.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 5 | Apr 24 | Apr 10 | Sep 28 | Oct 13 | Oct 26 |
| 32°F | Apr 27 | Apr 16 | Apr 1 | Oct 6 | Oct 22 | Nov 4 |
| 28°F | Apr 20 | Apr 5 | Mar 17 | Oct 17 | Oct 31 | Nov 16 |
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 Topeka, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 10 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.
Topeka planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Topeka, KS?
Plan for the last spring frost in Topeka around April 16 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Topeka, KS?
The first fall frost in Topeka typically arrives around October 22 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Topeka in?
Topeka 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 Topeka?
Topeka has about 189 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 16) and first fall frost (October 22).
When should I plant tomatoes in Topeka?
For Topeka, sow tomatoes indoors about February 19–March 5 and move the seedlings out around April 23, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Topeka
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Topeka’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at TOPEKA - NWS, 7 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 Topeka, KS — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00148171. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/kansas/topeka.