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

Planting zone for 66746 — Hepler, KS

ZIP code 66746 (Hepler, Crawford County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 66746 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 4
First frostNov 1
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hepler, 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 Hepler, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Girard, KS — 12 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 66746

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 66746 came on Feb 19 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8).

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 Hepler, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66746 is Hepler — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drained and either protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Hepler silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently 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 66746; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hepler, KS

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days52days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights97nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,350base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 46 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 33 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

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 22 °F 42°22° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 56 °F 76°56° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 1.56 in precipitation 1.6 JanFebruary: 1.91 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 MarApril: 4.96 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 6.81 in precipitation 6.8 MayJune: 5.68 in precipitation 5.7 JunJuly: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 SepOctober: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 2.98 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 2.18 in precipitation 2.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Girard, KS (12 mi away); precipitation: Farlington 0.8 Nne, KS (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

667807a
Walnut, KS · 7 mi
667347a
Farlington, KS · 8 mi
667757a
Stark, KS · 11 mi
667797a
Uniontown, KS · 11 mi
667437a
Girard, KS · 12 mi
667697a
Redfield, KS · 13 mi
667727a
Savonburg, KS · 14 mi
667117a
Arcadia, KS · 15 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66746

What planting zone is ZIP code 66746?

ZIP code 66746 (Hepler, KS) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Hepler, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66746 is April 4; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Girard station.

When is the first frost in Hepler, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66746 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66746?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66746 get?

About 45.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Farlington 0.8 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Hepler, KS?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 52 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66746 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hepler at the center of ZIP 66746: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Hepler, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66746 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hepler, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66746 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 66746 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 66746 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.