Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 66016 — Cummings, KS

ZIP code 66016 (Cummings, Atchison County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 66016 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 11

First frostOct 29

2012 zone6a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cummings, KS…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Cummings, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 15

Growing season199 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Atchison, KS — 9 miles away, elevation 945 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 66016

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 29) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 66016 came on Feb 28 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
Feb 28

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6a in Kansas

425 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Kansas, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Cummings, KS.

Soil in Cummings, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66016 is Armster — clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Armster clay loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, eroded.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 66016; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cummings, KS

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights107nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,006base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation36.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall17 inper year; 23 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Atchison, KS (9 mi away); precipitation: Atchison, KS (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

660606b

Nortonville, KS · 7 mi

660026a

Atchison, KS · 7 mi

660236a

Effingham, KS · 10 mi

660976b

Winchester, KS · 10 mi

660416a

Lancaster, KS · 10 mi

660206b

Easton, KS · 11 mi

644846a

Rushville, MO · 13 mi

660886b

Valley Falls, KS · 15 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66016

What planting zone is ZIP code 66016?

ZIP code 66016 (Cummings, KS) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Cummings, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66016 is April 11; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Atchison station.

When is the first frost in Cummings, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66016 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 199 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66016?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66016 get?

About 36.4 inches of precipitation a year and 17 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Atchison station).

How hot do summers get in Cummings, KS?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66016 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Armster at the center of ZIP 66016: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cummings, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66016 came on Feb 28 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cummings, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66016 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.