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

Planting zone for 74653 — Tonkawa, OK

ZIP code 74653 (Tonkawa, Kay County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 74653 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 8

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 Tonkawa, 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 Tonkawa, OK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Blackwell 4sse Mesonet, OK — 9 miles away, elevation 997 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 74653

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

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 8) 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 74653 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 Tonkawa, OK.

Soil in Tonkawa, OK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 74653 is Brewer — silty clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brewer silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, 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 74653; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tonkawa, OK

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,729base 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

Precipitation38.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall8 inper year; 8 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: Blackwell 4sse Mesonet, OK (9 mi away); precipitation: Blackwell 1ssw, OK (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

746317a

Blackwell, OK · 11 mi

746017a

Ponca City, OK · 11 mi

746307a

Billings, OK · 12 mi

746027a

Ponca City, OK · 12 mi

Deer Creek, OK · 16 mi

Oklahoma planting zones →

Questions about 74653

What planting zone is ZIP code 74653?

ZIP code 74653 (Tonkawa, 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 Tonkawa, OK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 74653 is April 8; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Blackwell 4sse Mesonet station.

When is the first frost in Tonkawa, OK?

The median first fall frost near 74653 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 74653?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 74653 get?

About 38.8 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Blackwell 1ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Tonkawa, 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 74653 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brewer at the center of ZIP 74653: silty clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Tonkawa, OK in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 74653 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 Tonkawa, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 74653 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.