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

Planting zone for 67301 — Independence, KS

ZIP code 67301 (Independence, Montgomery County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 67301 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 5
First frostOct 31
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Independence, 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 Independence, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Independence, KS — 4 miles away, elevation 804 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 67301

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 67301 came on Feb 18 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

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 7a in Kansas

439 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Kansas, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 37

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbitternut hickory75 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −47 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack maple100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °F

Shrubs 65

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fblack cherry80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °Fblackhaw16 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fblackjack oak25 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 179

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 137

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Independence, KS.

Soil in Independence, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 67301 is Kenoma — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.25%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kenoma silt loam, 0 to 1 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 67301; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Independence, KS

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days54days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights98nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,502base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 36 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 26 °F 50°26° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 68 °F 90°68° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 59 °F 83°59° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 35 °F 59°35° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 1.38 in precipitation 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.64 in precipitation 1.6 FebMarch: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 MarApril: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 AprMay: 6.64 in precipitation 6.6 MayJune: 6.51 in precipitation 6.5 JunJuly: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 2.36 in precipitation 2.4 NovDecember: 1.92 in precipitation 1.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Independence, KS (4 mi away); precipitation: Independence 0.3 Nw, KS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

673637a
Sycamore, KS · 9 mi
673407a
Dearing, KS · 11 mi
673517a
Liberty, KS · 11 mi
673477a
Havana, KS · 11 mi
673447a
Elk City, KS · 12 mi
673647a
Tyro, KS · 12 mi
673337a
Caney, KS · 13 mi
673357a
Cherryvale, KS · 13 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 67301

What planting zone is ZIP code 67301?

ZIP code 67301 (Independence, KS) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Independence, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 67301 is April 5; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Independence station.

When is the first frost in Independence, KS?

The median first fall frost near 67301 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 67301?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 67301 get?

About 45.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Independence 0.3 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Independence, KS?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 54 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 67301 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kenoma at the center of ZIP 67301: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Independence, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 67301 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Independence, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 67301 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 67301 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 67301 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.