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

Planting zone for 66517 — Ogden, KS

ZIP code 66517 (Ogden, Riley County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 66517 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 21

First frostOct 16

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 Ogden, 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 Ogden, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Manhattan Municipal Airport, KS — 2 miles away, elevation 1,056 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 66517

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 66517 came on Feb 25 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

average
Mar 182026
Feb 25

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 Ogden, KS.

Soil in Ogden, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66517 is Eudora — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eudora-Urban land complex, rarely 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 66517; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ogden, KS

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days58days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights130nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,117base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation32.2 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: Manhattan Municipal Airport, KS (2 mi away); precipitation: Manhattan Municipal Airport, KS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

664426b

Fort Riley, KS · 5 mi

Manhattan, KS · 10 mi

665036b

Manhattan, KS · 11 mi

664416b

Junction City, KS · 11 mi

665056b

Manhattan, KS · 13 mi

665316b

Riley, KS · 16 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66517

What planting zone is ZIP code 66517?

ZIP code 66517 (Ogden, 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 Ogden, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66517 is April 21; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manhattan Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Ogden, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66517 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66517?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66517 get?

About 32.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manhattan Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Ogden, KS?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 58 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66517 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eudora at the center of ZIP 66517: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ogden, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66517 came on Feb 25 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ogden, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66517 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 66517 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 66517 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.