Frost Dates for El Dorado, KS 67042
Last spring frost April 19 · First fall frost October 12 · 176 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 67042 has about 17,000 people.
Moderate season: 176 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 4–May 3 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 26–October 28 (32 days).
Frost probability for 67042
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 3 | April 19 | April 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 26 | October 12 | October 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CASSODAY 2SE (25.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 176-day season in El Dorado
In El Dorado (176 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 15 | May 3–May 10 | 134 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 134 available after May 3. | Jun 12 |
| Pepper | Mar 8 | May 3–May 10 | 134 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after May 3. | Jun 17 |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 29. | Aug 10 |
| Cucumber | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Peas | — | Feb 22–May 3 | 239 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 239 available after Feb 22. | Aug 1 |
| Zucchini | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Onion | Jan 25 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 211 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 22–Apr 12 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Kale | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 22. | Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 225 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 22. | Aug 10 |
| Radish | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Oct 19. | Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 12 | 281 | overwinter: Plant Oct 12 to Nov 2; harvest the following summer. | Nov 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 15–May 10 | 232 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 148 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 26. | Jun 24 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 5 | May 3–May 3 | 141 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 141 available after May 3. | May 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 12. | Jul 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 5 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 225 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 22. | Jul 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 141 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 141 available after May 3. | May 30 |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 134 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 134 available after May 3. | Jun 22 |
| Okra | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Basil | Mar 15 | May 10–May 10 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 22–Apr 12 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Parsley | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 26. | Jul 27 |
| Celery | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 10 | 176 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 26. | Jun 7 |
| Scallions | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Collards | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 134 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 134 available after May 3. | Jun 7 |
| Chives | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Oregano | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Sage | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Cosmos | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Lavender | Jan 25 | Apr 19–May 3 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Melons | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 134 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 134 available after May 3. | Jun 7 |
| Mint | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 155 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 26. | Jul 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 141 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 3. | Jun 9 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 19. | Jul 6 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 26. | Jun 17 |
| Watermelon | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 141 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 26. | Jun 12 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Zinnias | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
Month by month in El Dorado
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 25), Lavender (Jan 25), Onion (Jan 25), Rosemary (Jan 25). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 8), Collards (Feb 8), Kale (Feb 8), Oregano (Feb 8), Parsley (Feb 8), Scallions (Feb 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 22), Beets (Feb 22), Dill (Feb 22), Peas (Feb 22), Radish (Feb 22), Spinach (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 1), Calendula (Mar 8), Cauliflower (Mar 8), Marigolds (Mar 8), Pepper (Mar 8), Basil (Mar 15), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 8), Cilantro (Mar 22), Turnip (Mar 22), Carrots (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 22), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 22), Cabbage (Mar 22), Collards (Mar 22), Kale (Mar 22), Lettuce (Mar 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 15). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 5), Cantaloupe (Apr 5), Melons (Apr 5), Pumpkin (Apr 5), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 5), Watermelon (Apr 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 5), Sunflowers (Apr 19), Beans (Apr 26), Pole Beans (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 5), Swiss Chard (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Cauliflower (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 19), Lavender (Apr 19), +15 more. Last frost around April 19. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Cucumber (May 3), Eggplant (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pepper (May 3), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 30), Pumpkin (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 7), Celery (Jun 7), Melons (Jun 7), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 9), Tomato (Jun 12), Watermelon (Jun 12), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 11), Pole Beans (Jul 11), Basil (Jul 16), Cosmos (Jul 16), Cucumber (Jul 16), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 1), Cabbage (Aug 10), Carrots (Aug 10), Beets (Aug 11), Dill (Aug 11), Swiss Chard (Aug 11), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 9), Spinach (Sep 9), Radish (Sep 10). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 12). First frost around October 12. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 2). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for El Dorado, KS (ZIP 67042)?
The median last spring frost date for El Dorado, KS (ZIP code 67042) is around April 19. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 4; one in ten it runs past May 3.
What is the first fall frost date in El Dorado, KS?
The median first fall frost date for El Dorado, KS is around October 12. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 26 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in El Dorado, KS?
The frost-free growing season in El Dorado is about 176 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In El Dorado (176 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is El Dorado, KS?
El Dorado, KS is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in El Dorado, KS?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 15 and plant out May 3 in El Dorado. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in El Dorado?
Two: plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19.
When do I plant garlic in El Dorado?
Oct 12 to Nov 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Augusta (ZIP 67010) has 188 frost-free days, 12 more than El Dorado (ZIP 67042). See Augusta ZIP 67010 frost dates
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