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

Planting zone for 66079 — Rantoul, KS

ZIP code 66079 (Rantoul, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 66079 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 14

First frostOct 25

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 Rantoul, 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 Rantoul, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Osawatomie, KS — 9 miles away, 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 66079

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 66079 came on Feb 24 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15).

average
Mar 152026
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 Rantoul, KS.

Soil in Rantoul, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66079 is Clareson — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clareson-Eram complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky.

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 66079; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rantoul, KS

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days46days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights114nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,039base 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

Precipitation40 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: Osawatomie, KS (9 mi away); precipitation: Princeton 5ne, KS (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

660786b

Princeton, KS · 8 mi

660646b

Osawatomie, KS · 8 mi

Wellsville, KS · 10 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66079

What planting zone is ZIP code 66079?

ZIP code 66079 (Rantoul, 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 Rantoul, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66079 is April 14; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Osawatomie station.

When is the first frost in Rantoul, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66079 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66079?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66079 get?

About 40 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Princeton 5ne station).

How hot do summers get in Rantoul, KS?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 46 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66079 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clareson at the center of ZIP 66079: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Rantoul, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66079 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 Rantoul, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66079 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 66079 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 66079 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.