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

Planting zone for 66732 — Elsmore, KS

ZIP code 66732 (Elsmore, Allen County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 66732 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 8

First frostOct 29

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Elsmore, 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 Elsmore, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 14

Growing season203 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Chanute 4e, KS — 14 miles away, elevation 991 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 66732

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 66732 came on Feb 19 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10).

average
Mar 102026
Feb 19

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 Elsmore, KS.

Soil in Elsmore, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66732 is Mason — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mason silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, 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 66732; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elsmore, KS

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights102nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,138base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation42.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall9 inper year; 7 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chanute 4e, KS (14 mi away); precipitation: Moran, KS (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Uniontown, KS · 13 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66732

What planting zone is ZIP code 66732?

ZIP code 66732 (Elsmore, 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 Elsmore, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66732 is April 8; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chanute 4e station.

When is the first frost in Elsmore, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66732 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 203 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66732?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66732 get?

About 42.4 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moran station).

How hot do summers get in Elsmore, KS?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66732 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mason at the center of ZIP 66732: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Elsmore, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66732 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elsmore, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66732 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.