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

Planting zone for 67642 — Hill City, KS

ZIP code 67642 (Hill City, Graham County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 67642 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 27

First frostOct 14

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hill City, 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 Hill City, KS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Hill City Municipal Airport, KS — within 1 mile, elevation 2,188 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 67642

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 67642 came on Feb 24 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
Feb 24

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 Hill City, KS.

Soil in Hill City, KS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 67642 is Penden — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.1alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.6%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Penden-Uly complex, 7 to 20 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 67642; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hill City, KS

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days69days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,884base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation21.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hill City Municipal Airport, KS (within 1 mile); precipitation: Hill City Municipal Airport, KS (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Kansas planting zones →

Questions about 67642

What planting zone is ZIP code 67642?

ZIP code 67642 (Hill City, 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 Hill City, KS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 67642 is April 27; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hill City Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Hill City, KS?

The median first fall frost near 67642 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 67642?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 67642 get?

About 21.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hill City Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Hill City, KS?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 69 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 67642 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Penden at the center of ZIP 67642: loam, well drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Hill City, KS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 67642 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hill City, KS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 67642 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.