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

Planting zone for 74602 — Ponca City, OK

ZIP code 74602 (Ponca City, Kay County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 74602 is

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 10
First frostOct 27
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ponca City, OK…

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 Ponca City, OK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season200 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Ponca City Municipal Airport, OK — 4 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 74602

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 74602 came on Feb 14 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1).

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 Oklahoma

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

Trees 59

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbald cypress130 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °F

Shrubs 90

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 187

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high 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 °F

Grasses 153

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °FArizona threeawn2 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −3 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 15

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °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 °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 Ponca City, OK.

Soil in Ponca City, OK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 74602 is Kirkland — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kirkland 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 74602; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ponca City, OK

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights89nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,948base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation33.6 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 47 °F, low 25 °F 47°25° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 28 °F 52°28° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 71 °F 93°71° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 70 °F 92°70° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 27 °F 49°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 1.02 in precipitation 1.0 JanFebruary: 1.10 in precipitation 1.1 FebMarch: 2.17 in precipitation 2.2 MarApril: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 2.74 in precipitation 2.7 SepOctober: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 1.65 in precipitation 1.6 NovDecember: 1.27 in precipitation 1.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ponca City Municipal Airport, OK (4 mi away); precipitation: Ponca City Municipal Airport, OK (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

746017a
Ponca City, OK · <1 mi
746047a
Ponca City, OK · 9 mi
746447a
Marland, OK · 10 mi
746317a
Blackwell, OK · 12 mi
746537a
Tonkawa, OK · 12 mi
746517a
Red Rock, OK · 16 mi
746417a
Kaw City, OK · 17 mi
746477a
Newkirk, OK · 17 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Ponca City → · Oklahoma planting zones →

Questions about 74602

What planting zone is ZIP code 74602?

ZIP code 74602 (Ponca City, OK) 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 Ponca City, OK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 74602 is April 10; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ponca City Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Ponca City, OK?

The median first fall frost near 74602 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 200 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 74602?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 74602 get?

About 33.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ponca City Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Ponca City, OK?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 74 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 74602 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kirkland at the center of ZIP 74602: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Ponca City, OK in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 74602 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ponca City, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 74602 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.