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

Planting zone for 74604 — Ponca City, OK

ZIP code 74604 (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 74604 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 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 — 7 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 74604

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 74604 came on Feb 14 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2).

average
Mar 22026
Feb 14

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.

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 74604 is Lovedale — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lovedale fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 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 74604; 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ponca City Municipal Airport, OK (7 mi away); precipitation: Ponca City Municipal Airport, OK (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

746027a

Ponca City, OK · 9 mi

746017a

Ponca City, OK · 9 mi

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

Questions about 74604

What planting zone is ZIP code 74604?

ZIP code 74604 (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 74604 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 74604 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 200 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 74604?

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 74604 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 74604 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lovedale at the center of ZIP 74604: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

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

Spring leaf-out near 74604 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ponca City, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 74604 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.