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

Planting zone for 66936 — Burr Oak, KS

ZIP code 66936 (Burr Oak, Jewell County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 66936 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 30

First frostOct 8

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 Burr Oak, 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 Burr Oak, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season159 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Burr Oak 1n, KS — 3 miles away, elevation 1,650 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 66936

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 66936 came on Mar 7 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

average
Mar 252026
Mar 7

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 Burr Oak, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66936 is Holdrege — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Holdrege and Geary silty clay loams, 6 to 11 percent slopes, eroded.

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 66936; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Burr Oak, KS

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights154nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,340base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation27.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall24 inper year; 35 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: Burr Oak 1n, KS (3 mi away); precipitation: Burr Oak 1n, KS (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Guide Rock, NE · 12 mi

Red Cloud, NE · 18 mi

669496a

Jewell, KS · 20 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66936

What planting zone is ZIP code 66936?

ZIP code 66936 (Burr Oak, 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 Burr Oak, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66936 is April 30; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burr Oak 1n station.

When is the first frost in Burr Oak, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66936 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 159 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66936?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66936 get?

About 27.5 inches of precipitation a year and 24 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burr Oak 1n station).

How hot do summers get in Burr Oak, KS?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66936 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Holdrege at the center of ZIP 66936: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Burr Oak, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66936 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Burr Oak, KS?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 66936 is 15 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 66936 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 66936 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.