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

Planting zone for 67349 — Howard, KS

ZIP code 67349 (Howard, Elk County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 67349 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 17

First frostOct 22

2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Howard, 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 Howard, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 6

Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Howard, KS — 2 miles away, elevation 1,011 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 67349

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

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 17) 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 67349 came on Feb 19 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11).

average
Mar 112026
Feb 19

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 Howard, KS.

Soil in Howard, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 67349 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, 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 67349; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Howard, KS

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days50days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights115nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,164base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 45 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 34 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation38.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall6 inper year; 10 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: Howard, KS (2 mi away); precipitation: Howard, KS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

673457a

Elk Falls, KS · 10 mi

Fall River, KS · 16 mi

670127a

Beaumont, KS · 19 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 67349

What planting zone is ZIP code 67349?

ZIP code 67349 (Howard, 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 Howard, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 67349 is April 17; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Howard station.

When is the first frost in Howard, KS?

The median first fall frost near 67349 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 67349?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 67349 get?

About 38.6 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Howard station).

How hot do summers get in Howard, KS?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 50 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 67349 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kenoma at the center of ZIP 67349: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Howard, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 67349 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Howard, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 67349 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.