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

Planting zone for 66036 — Hillsdale, KS

ZIP code 66036 (Hillsdale, Miami County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 66036 is

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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 9

First frostOct 31

2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hillsdale, 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 Hillsdale, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Hillsdale Lake, KS — 2 miles away, elevation 1,011 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 66036

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 66036 came on Feb 24 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
Feb 24

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 6b in Kansas

431 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Kansas, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Hillsdale, KS.

Soil in Hillsdale, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66036 is Hepler — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Hepler silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 66036; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hillsdale, KS

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights110nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,056base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation39.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hillsdale Lake, KS (2 mi away); precipitation: Hillsdale Lake, KS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

660836b

Spring Hill, KS · 5 mi

Louisburg, KS · 11 mi

660306b

Gardner, KS · 12 mi

660316b

New Century, KS · 12 mi

660626b

Olathe, KS · 13 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66036

What planting zone is ZIP code 66036?

ZIP code 66036 (Hillsdale, KS) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Hillsdale, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66036 is April 9; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hillsdale Lake station.

When is the first frost in Hillsdale, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66036 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66036?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66036 get?

About 39.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hillsdale Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Hillsdale, KS?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66036 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hepler at the center of ZIP 66036: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Hillsdale, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66036 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hillsdale, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66036 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 66036 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 66036 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.