When to Plant Potatoes in Kansas
In Kansas, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Mar 14 – Mar 28 in Kansas City to Apr 7 – Apr 21 in Garden City. In Wichita, it's Mar 21 – Apr 4. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 4 in Kansas City, Apr 28 in Garden City), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in Kansas by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Andover | 7a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Arkansas City | 7a | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Atchison | 6a | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Bel Aire | 7a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Derby | 7a | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Dodge City | 6b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| El Dorado | 6b | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Emporia | 6b | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Garden City | 6b | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Gardner | 6b | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Great Bend | 6b | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Hays | 6b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Haysville | 7a | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Hutchinson | 6b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Junction City | 6b | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Kansas City | 6b | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Lansing | 6b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Lawrence | 6b | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Leavenworth | 6b | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Leawood | 6b | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Lenexa | 6b | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Liberal | 6b | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Manhattan | 6a | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| McPherson | 6b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Merriam | 6b | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Mission | 6b | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Newton | 6b | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Olathe | 6b | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Ottawa | 6b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Overland Park | 6b | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Park City | 7a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Parsons | 7a | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Pittsburg | 7a | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Prairie Village | 6b | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Salina | 6b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Shawnee | 6b | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Spring Hill | 6b | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Topeka | 6b | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Wichita | 7a | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Winfield | 7a | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Kansas, or the general guide to when to plant potatoes.
Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.