Frost Dates for Ponca City, OK 74601
Last spring frost April 9 · First fall frost October 29 · 203 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 74601 has about 18,900 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Ponca City.
Long season: 203 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 27–April 22 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 13–November 14 (32 days).
Frost probability for 74601
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 22 | April 9 | March 27 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 13 | October 29 | November 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at NEWKIRK 5NE (29.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Ponca City, OK
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 74601 | April 9 | October 29 | 7a |
| 74604 | April 6 | October 29 | 7a |
Which crops fit a 203-day season in Ponca City
In Ponca City (203 frost-free days, a long 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 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 161 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 23. | Jun 29 |
| Pepper | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 23. | Jul 4 |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 245 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 19. | Aug 27 |
| Cucumber | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Peas | — | Feb 12–Apr 23 | 266 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 12. | Aug 18 |
| Zucchini | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Onion | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 238 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 12–Apr 2 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Kale | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 12. | Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 252 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 12. | Aug 27 |
| Radish | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 27 |
| Beets | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 29 | 308 | overwinter: Plant Oct 29 to Nov 19; harvest the following summer. | Nov 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 5–Apr 30 | 259 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 16. | Jul 11 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 23. | Jun 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 217 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 2. | Aug 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Mar 26 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 12. | Jul 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 23. | Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 23. | Jul 9 |
| Okra | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Basil | Mar 5 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 12–Apr 2 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Parsley | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 16. | Aug 13 |
| Celery | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 203 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 16. | Jun 24 |
| Scallions | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Collards | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 161 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 23. | Jun 24 |
| Chives | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Oregano | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 217 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Sage | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 217 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Cosmos | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Lavender | Jan 15 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Melons | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 161 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 23. | Jun 24 |
| Mint | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 182 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 16. | Jul 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 23. | Jun 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | Jul 23 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 16. | Jul 4 |
| Watermelon | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 16. | Jun 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Zinnias | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
Month by month in Ponca City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 15), Lavender (Jan 15), Onion (Jan 15), Rosemary (Jan 15), Celery (Jan 29), Collards (Jan 29), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 12), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 12), Cabbage (Feb 12), Lettuce (Feb 12), Sage (Feb 12), Swiss Chard (Feb 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 12), Beets (Feb 12), Dill (Feb 12), Peas (Feb 12), Radish (Feb 12), Spinach (Feb 12), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 5), Tomato (Mar 5), Bok Choy (Mar 12), Corn (Mar 12), Cosmos (Mar 12), Nasturtiums (Mar 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 12), Turnip (Mar 12), Carrots (Mar 19), Potatoes (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Collards (Mar 12), Kale (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 5). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 9), Beans (Apr 16), Pole Beans (Apr 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Cauliflower (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 9), Lavender (Apr 9), Marigolds (Apr 9), Mint (Apr 9), +25 more. Last frost around April 9. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 16), Pumpkin (Jun 16), Cantaloupe (Jun 24), Celery (Jun 24), Melons (Jun 24), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 26), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 4), Tomatillos (Jul 4), Eggplant (Jul 9), Corn (Jul 11), Sunflowers (Jul 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 28), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 2), Cosmos (Aug 2), Cucumber (Aug 2), Zinnias (Aug 2), Broccoli (Aug 3), Nasturtiums (Aug 7), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 2), Cilantro (Sep 2), Collards (Sep 6), Scallions (Sep 6), Bok Choy (Sep 7), Lettuce (Sep 7), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 29). First frost around October 29. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 19). |
| 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 Ponca City, OK (ZIP 74601)?
The median last spring frost date for Ponca City, OK (ZIP code 74601) is around April 9. 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 March 27; one in ten it runs past April 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Ponca City, OK?
The median first fall frost date for Ponca City, OK is around October 29. 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 October 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ponca City, OK?
The frost-free growing season in Ponca City is about 203 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 Ponca City (203 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Ponca City, OK?
Ponca City, OK is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Ponca City, OK?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 5 and plant out Apr 23 in Ponca City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ponca City?
Two: plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5.
When do I plant garlic in Ponca City?
Oct 29 to Nov 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Ponca City?
Yes: plant out Apr 23 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 29 for a fall crop.
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