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

Planting zone for 66738 — Fulton, KS

ZIP code 66738 (Fulton, Bourbon County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 66738 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 15

First frostOct 22

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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Mound City 1ssw, KS — 10 miles away, elevation 912 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 66738

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 66738 came on Feb 23 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
Feb 23

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 Fulton, KS.

Soil in Fulton, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66738 is Zaar — silty clay, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Zaar silty clay, 3 to 8 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 66738; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fulton, KS

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,006base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation45.3 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: Mound City 1ssw, KS (10 mi away); precipitation: Fort Scott 9.3 Nne, KS (7 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.

Mound City, KS · 12 mi

667017a

Fort Scott, KS · 13 mi

660756b

Pleasanton, KS · 13 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66738

What planting zone is ZIP code 66738?

ZIP code 66738 (Fulton, 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 Fulton, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66738 is April 15; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mound City 1ssw station.

When is the first frost in Fulton, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66738 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66738?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66738 get?

About 45.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fort Scott 9.3 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Fulton, KS?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 40 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66738 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zaar at the center of ZIP 66738: silty clay, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Fulton, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66738 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fulton, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66738 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.