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

Planting zone for 66417 — Corning, KS

ZIP code 66417 (Corning, Nemaha County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 66417 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 19

First frostOct 19

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Corning, 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 Corning, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season182 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Centralia, KS — 7 miles away, elevation 1,319 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 66417

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 66417 came on Mar 4 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
Mar 4

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 Corning, KS.

Soil in Corning, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66417 is Burchard — clay loam, well drained.

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

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Burchard-Steinauer clay loams, 6 to 12 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 66417; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Corning, KS

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights123nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,902base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall12 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Centralia, KS (7 mi away); precipitation: Goff 3 Wsw, KS (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Havensville, KS · 12 mi

665406a

Soldier, KS · 12 mi

665446a

Vermillion, KS · 13 mi

664166a

Circleville, KS · 13 mi

665386a

Seneca, KS · 13 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66417

What planting zone is ZIP code 66417?

ZIP code 66417 (Corning, 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 Corning, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66417 is April 19; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Centralia station.

When is the first frost in Corning, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66417 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 182 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66417?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66417 get?

About 35.6 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Goff 3 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Corning, KS?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66417 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Burchard at the center of ZIP 66417: clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Corning, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66417 came on Mar 4 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Corning, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66417 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 66417 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 66417 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.