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

Planting zone for 66783 — Yates Center, KS

ZIP code 66783 (Yates Center, Woodson County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 66783 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 10

First frostOct 28

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 Yates Center, 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 Yates Center, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Yates Center, KS — within 1 mile, elevation 1,112 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 66783

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 66783 came on Feb 23 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13).

average
Mar 132026
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 Yates Center, KS.

Soil in Yates Center, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66783 is Bates — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bates loam, 1 to 3 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 66783; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Yates Center, KS

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,175base 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

Precipitation41.8 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: Yates Center, KS (within 1 mile); precipitation: Yates Center, KS (within 1 mile). 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.

667616b

Piqua, KS · 9 mi

667586b

Neosho Falls, KS · 12 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66783

What planting zone is ZIP code 66783?

ZIP code 66783 (Yates Center, 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 Yates Center, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66783 is April 10; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Yates Center station.

When is the first frost in Yates Center, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66783 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66783?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66783 get?

About 41.8 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Yates Center station).

How hot do summers get in Yates Center, KS?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66783 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bates at the center of ZIP 66783: loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Yates Center, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66783 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Yates Center, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66783 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.