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

Planting zone for 66516 — Netawaka, KS

ZIP code 66516 (Netawaka, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 66516 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 24
First frostOct 14
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 Netawaka, 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 Netawaka, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Holton, KS — 11 miles away, elevation 1,050 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 66516

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22
BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 66516 came on Mar 4 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

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 Netawaka, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66516 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-Shelby clay loams, 7 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 66516; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Netawaka, KS

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights131nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,610base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 58 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
Precipitation37.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 15 °F 37°15° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 20 °F 43°20° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 29 °F 54°29° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 30 °F 53°30° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 20 °F 41°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 JanFebruary: 1.33 in precipitation 1.3 FebMarch: 2.17 in precipitation 2.2 MarApril: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.88 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 1.84 in precipitation 1.8 NovDecember: 1.46 in precipitation 1.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Holton, KS (11 mi away); precipitation: Holton, KS (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

665526a
Whiting, KS · 5 mi
665506a
Wetmore, KS · 6 mi
665276a
Powhattan, KS · 9 mi
664166a
Circleville, KS · 10 mi
664396a
Horton, KS · 10 mi
664366a
Holton, KS · 10 mi
660586a
Muscotah, KS · 12 mi
664286a
Goff, KS · 12 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66516

What planting zone is ZIP code 66516?

ZIP code 66516 (Netawaka, 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 Netawaka, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66516 is April 24; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holton station.

When is the first frost in Netawaka, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66516 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66516?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66516 get?

About 37.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holton station).

How hot do summers get in Netawaka, 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 66516 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Burchard at the center of ZIP 66516: clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Netawaka, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66516 came on Mar 4 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Netawaka, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66516 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.