FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Kansas

In a typical Kansas location, start seeds indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Kansas City and as late as May 5 in Garden City.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
WichitaFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
Overland ParkFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
Kansas CityFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
OlatheFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
TopekaFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
LawrenceFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 19 – Apr 26
ShawneeFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
ManhattanFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
LenexaFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
SalinaFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
HutchinsonFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
LeavenworthFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 19 – Apr 26
LeawoodFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
Dodge CityFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
Garden CityMar 3 – Mar 17May 5 – May 12
EmporiaFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
Junction CityFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 19 – Apr 26
DerbyFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 21 – Apr 28
Prairie VillageFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
HaysFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
GardnerFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 20 – Apr 27
LiberalFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
PittsburgFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 14 – Apr 21
NewtonFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 21 – Apr 28
Great BendFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
McPhersonFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
El DoradoFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 20 – Apr 27
AndoverFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
OttawaFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
WinfieldFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30

Showing the 30 most populous of 40 Kansas cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kansas cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Kansas?

In a typical Kansas location, start seeds indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Kansas City and as late as May 5 in Garden City.

When is the last frost in Kansas?

The average last spring frost in Kansas ranges from April 4 in Kansas City to April 28 in Garden City, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Kansas

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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