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

Planting zone for 66071 — Paola, KS

ZIP code 66071 (Paola, Miami County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 66071 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 13
First frostOct 21
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 Paola, 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 Paola, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Paola, KS — within 1 mile, elevation 860 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 66071

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 13) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 66071 came on Feb 24 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15).

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).

Soil in Paola, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66071 is Woodson — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Woodson silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes.

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 66071; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Paola, KS

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights107nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,072base 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
Precipitation41.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 19 °F 40°19° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 55 °F 75°55° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 65 °F 84°65° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 34 °F 55°34° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 JanFebruary: 1.68 in precipitation 1.7 FebMarch: 2.69 in precipitation 2.7 MarApril: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 6.14 in precipitation 6.1 MayJune: 5.22 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 2.37 in precipitation 2.4 NovDecember: 1.79 in precipitation 1.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Paola, KS (within 1 mile); precipitation: Paola, KS (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

660366b
Hillsdale, KS · 6 mi
660646b
Osawatomie, KS · 9 mi
660536b
Louisburg, KS · 11 mi
660836b
Spring Hill, KS · 11 mi
660266b
Fontana, KS · 12 mi
660796b
Rantoul, KS · 14 mi
660136b
Bucyrus, KS · 14 mi
660216b
Edgerton, KS · 15 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66071

What planting zone is ZIP code 66071?

ZIP code 66071 (Paola, 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 Paola, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66071 is April 13; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paola station.

When is the first frost in Paola, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66071 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66071?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 16 – Mar 2 and set transplants outside around Apr 20 – May 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66071 get?

About 41.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paola station).

How hot do summers get in Paola, KS?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66071 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Woodson at the center of ZIP 66071: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Paola, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66071 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Paola, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66071 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 66071 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 66071 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.