Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 67530 — Great Bend, KS

ZIP code 67530 (Great Bend, Barton County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 67530 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 24

First frostOct 15

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 Great Bend, 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 Great Bend, 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 30

Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Great Bend 3w, KS — 2 miles away, elevation 1,873 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 67530

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 67530 came on Feb 23 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15).

average
Mar 152026
Feb 23

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 Great Bend, KS.

Soil in Great Bend, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 67530 is Kaski — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kaski loam, rarely flooded.

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 67530; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Great Bend, KS

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days70days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,902base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation27.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall12 inper year; 19 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: Great Bend 3w, KS (2 mi away); precipitation: Great Bend 3w, KS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

675676b

Pawnee Rock, KS · 11 mi

675646b

Olmitz, KS · 14 mi

675266b

Ellinwood, KS · 14 mi

Hoisington, KS · 15 mi

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 67530

What planting zone is ZIP code 67530?

ZIP code 67530 (Great Bend, 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 Great Bend, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 67530 is April 24; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Great Bend 3w station.

When is the first frost in Great Bend, KS?

The median first fall frost near 67530 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 67530?

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 67530 get?

About 27.3 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Great Bend 3w station).

How hot do summers get in Great Bend, KS?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 70 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 67530 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kaski at the center of ZIP 67530: loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Great Bend, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 67530 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Great Bend, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 67530 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.