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

Planting zone for 66932 — Athol, KS

ZIP code 66932 (Athol, Smith County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 66932 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 24

First frostOct 15

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Athol, 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 Athol, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Smith Center, KS — 8 miles away, elevation 1,821 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 66932

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 66932 came on Mar 2 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

average
Mar 232026
Mar 2

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 6a in Kansas

425 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Kansas, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Athol, KS.

Soil in Athol, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66932 is Holdrege — 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 matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Holdrege silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, plains and breaks.

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 66932; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Athol, KS

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,826base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation26.7 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: Smith Center, KS (8 mi away); precipitation: Smith Center 0.2 Nw, KS (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

669676a

Smith Center, KS · 8 mi

669516a

Kensington, KS · 8 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66932

What planting zone is ZIP code 66932?

ZIP code 66932 (Athol, KS) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Athol, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66932 is April 24; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Smith Center station.

When is the first frost in Athol, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66932 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66932?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66932 get?

About 26.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Smith Center 0.2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Athol, KS?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66932 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Holdrege at the center of ZIP 66932: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Athol, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66932 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Athol, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 66932 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 66932 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 66932 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.