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

Planting zone for 66869 — Strong City, KS

ZIP code 66869 (Strong City, Chase 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 66869 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 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 Strong City, 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 Strong City, 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 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Tallgrass Prairie Np, KS — 3 miles away, elevation 1,250 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 66869

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 66869 came on Feb 24 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
Feb 24

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 Strong City, KS.

Soil in Strong City, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66869 is Dwight — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Dwight silt 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 66869; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Strong City, KS

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days55days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights117nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,300base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall12 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tallgrass Prairie Np, KS (3 mi away); precipitation: Tallgrass Prairie Np, KS (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

668506b

Elmdale, KS · 12 mi

668456b

Cottonwood Falls, KS · 12 mi

668466b

Council Grove, KS · 12 mi

Cedar Point, KS · 21 mi

668626b

Matfield Green, KS · 22 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66869

What planting zone is ZIP code 66869?

ZIP code 66869 (Strong City, 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 Strong City, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66869 is April 15; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tallgrass Prairie Np station.

When is the first frost in Strong City, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66869 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66869?

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 66869 get?

About 33.5 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tallgrass Prairie Np station).

How hot do summers get in Strong City, KS?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 55 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66869 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dwight at the center of ZIP 66869: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Strong City, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66869 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Strong City, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66869 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 66869 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 66869 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.