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

Planting zone for 66960 — Narka, KS

ZIP code 66960 (Narka, Republic County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 66960 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 22

First frostOct 17

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 Narka, 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 Narka, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Belleville, KS — 14 miles away, elevation 1,529 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 66960

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 66960 came on Mar 10 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
Mar 10

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 Narka, KS.

Soil in Narka, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 66960 is Crete — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Crete silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, loess 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 66960; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Narka, KS

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days49days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,760base 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)

Precipitation30 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall25 inper year; 27 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: Belleville, KS (14 mi away); precipitation: Hubbell, NE (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Morrowville, KS · 13 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 66960

What planting zone is ZIP code 66960?

ZIP code 66960 (Narka, 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 Narka, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 66960 is April 22; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Belleville station.

When is the first frost in Narka, KS?

The median first fall frost near 66960 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 66960?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 66960 get?

About 30 inches of precipitation a year and 25 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hubbell station).

How hot do summers get in Narka, KS?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 49 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 66960 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Crete at the center of ZIP 66960: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Narka, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 66960 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Narka, KS?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 66960 is 15 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 66960 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 66960 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.