When to Plant Tomatoes in Kansas
In Kansas, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 11 – Apr 25 in Kansas City to May 5 – May 19 in Garden City. In Wichita, it's Apr 18 – May 2. 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.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Kansas by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andover | 7a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Arkansas City | 7a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Atchison | 6a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Bel Aire | 7a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Derby | 7a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Dodge City | 6b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| El Dorado | 6b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Emporia | 6b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Garden City | 6b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Gardner | 6b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Great Bend | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Hays | 6b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Haysville | 7a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Hutchinson | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Junction City | 6b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Kansas City | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Lansing | 6b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Lawrence | 6b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Leavenworth | 6b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Leawood | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Lenexa | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Liberal | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Manhattan | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| McPherson | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Merriam | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Mission | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Newton | 6b | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Olathe | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Ottawa | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Overland Park | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Park City | 7a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Parsons | 7a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Pittsburg | 7a | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Prairie Village | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Salina | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Shawnee | 6b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Spring Hill | 6b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Topeka | 6b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Wichita | 7a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Winfield | 7a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
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 tomatoes.
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