Kansas City, MO Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Kansas City

No planting windows from our rules fall in October; see the month-by-month list below.

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Apr 4, 50% risk), balanced = Apr 10 (30%), safe = Apr 20 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

Before sowing, check the soil too. CSU recommends taking its temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans). Since NOAA publishes no soil-temperature normals, we give CSU's minimum soil temperature for each crop rather than a date.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Kansas City

What to plant in Kansas City in January

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Jan 23 – Feb 6)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Jan 23 – Feb 6)

What to plant in Kansas City in February

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Feb 6–20)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 13)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 27 – Mar 13)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Jan 23 – Feb 6)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Jan 23 – Feb 6)

What to plant in Kansas City in March

• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 15–29)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 13)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 27 – Mar 13)

What to plant in Kansas City in April

• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Apr 4–20)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 4–20)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Apr 4–20)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Apr 4–20)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Apr 18 – May 4)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Apr 18 – May 4)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Apr 18 – May 4)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Apr 18 – May 4)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 18 – May 4)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 7 – Apr 6)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

What to plant in Kansas City in May

• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (May 3–4)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Apr 18 – May 4)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Apr 18 – May 4)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Apr 18 – May 4)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Apr 18 – May 4)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 18 – May 4)

What to plant in Kansas City in June

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 7–21)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 27 – Jul 11)

What to plant in Kansas City in July

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Jul 26)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 27 – Jul 11)

What to plant in Kansas City in August

• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Aug 6)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Aug 10)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Aug 11)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Aug 15)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 15)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Aug 16)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Aug 20)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Aug 20)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Aug 20)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Aug 20)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Aug 30)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Aug 30)

What to plant in Kansas City in September

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Sep 9)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Sep 19)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Kansas City

Very tender crop. Two CSU Extension rules set the timing for tomatoes: at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, and nights above 52°F. In Kansas City, the frost rule alone would allow about Apr 18, but the average nightly low at Kansas City Downtown Airport first rises above 52°F on May 3. With both rules, the dates are about May 3 (typical date), May 3 (balanced) or May 4 (safer 10% date). Sow seeds indoors Mar 15–29, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on May 3. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Kansas City Downtown Airport reaches 55°F on May 10. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, tomato plants set out on May 3 would start producing around Jul 7. That's 118 days before the typical first frost (Nov 2).

When to plant peppers in Kansas City

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set peppers out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 18 using the typical date, Apr 24 as a balanced choice, or May 4 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13, 6–8 weeks before transplanting on Apr 24. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Kansas City Downtown Airport, the normal low reaches 55°F on May 10. Using CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest, pepper plants set out on Apr 24 would start producing around Jul 3. That's 122 days before the typical first frost (Nov 2).

When to plant potatoes in Kansas City

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says potatoes can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 45°F. In Kansas City, that's roughly Mar 21 – Apr 4 going by the typical date, or Apr 6–20 going by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Kansas City

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 7–21 in Kansas City using the typical date, or Mar 23 – Apr 6 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F.

When to plant peas in Kansas City

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Kansas City, that's roughly Mar 7–21 going by the typical date, or Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 15, or by Aug 3 to be safe. That's 79 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Kansas City

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Kansas City, that's roughly Mar 7–21 going by the typical date, or Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 20 (Aug 8 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Kansas City

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, carrots can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 21 – Apr 4 in Kansas City (typical date) or Apr 6–20 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, count back 84 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 10, or by Jul 29 to be safe.

When to plant beans (snap) in Kansas City

Tender crop. CSU's timing for beans (snap) is around the average last frost, which is about Apr 4 in Kansas City. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Apr 20. Seeds want soil at 55°F or warmer. For fall, sow by Aug 6 (Jul 25 to be safe), which is 88 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Kansas City

Tender crop. Sow summer squash around the average last frost, per CSU: about Apr 4 in Kansas City. Waiting until Apr 20 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 16, or by Aug 4 to be safe. That's 78 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant broccoli in Kansas City

Hardy crop. Per CSU, broccoli can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Kansas City, that works out to roughly Mar 7–21 (typical date) or Mar 23 – Apr 6 (safer date). Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, broccoli plants set out on Mar 13 would start producing around May 17. That's 169 days before the typical first frost (Nov 2). For a fall harvest of broccoli, get transplants in the ground by Aug 15 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Nov 2, with CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jun 27 – Jul 11, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cabbage in Kansas City

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Kansas City, that's roughly Mar 7–21 going by the typical date, or Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the safer date. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for cabbage plants is 85 days. Set out on Mar 13, they would start producing around Jun 6, 149 days before the typical first frost (Nov 2). For a fall harvest of cabbage, get transplants in the ground by Jul 26 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Nov 2, with CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jun 7–21, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cauliflower in Kansas City

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, cauliflower can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 21 – Apr 4 in Kansas City (typical date) or Apr 6–20 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F.

When to plant kohlrabi in Kansas City

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Kansas City, that's roughly Mar 7–21 going by the typical date, or Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 30 (Aug 18 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Kansas City

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Kansas City, that's roughly Mar 7–21 going by the typical date, or Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 20 (Aug 8 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Kansas City

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 7–21 in Kansas City using the typical date, or Mar 23 – Apr 6 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, count back 44 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 19, or by Sep 7 to be safe.

When to plant spinach in Kansas City

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 7–21 in Kansas City using the typical date, or Mar 23 – Apr 6 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Sep 9 (Aug 28 to be safe), which is 54 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Kansas City

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Kansas City, that's roughly Mar 7–21 going by the typical date, or Mar 23 – Apr 6 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 30, or by Aug 18 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Kansas City

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, beets can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 21 – Apr 4 in Kansas City (typical date) or Apr 6–20 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 20, or by Aug 8 to be safe.

When to plant swiss chard in Kansas City

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, swiss chard can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 21 – Apr 4 in Kansas City (typical date) or Apr 6–20 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 20, or by Aug 8 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Kansas City

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting parsnips as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 35°F or warmer. For Kansas City, that's roughly Mar 21 – Apr 4 by the typical date or Apr 6–20 by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Kansas City

Tender crop. CSU's timing for sweet corn is around the average last frost, which is about Apr 4 in Kansas City. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Apr 20. Seeds want soil at 50°F or warmer.

When to plant cucumbers in Kansas City

Tender crop. CSU's timing for cucumbers is around the average last frost, which is about Apr 4 in Kansas City. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Apr 20. Seeds want soil at 60°F or warmer. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 11, or by Jul 30 to be safe. That's 83 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Kansas City

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set eggplant out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 18 using the typical date, Apr 24 as a balanced choice, or May 4 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Feb 20 – Mar 13, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on Apr 24. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for eggplant plants is 60 days. Set out on Apr 24, they would start producing around Jun 23, 132 days before the typical first frost (Nov 2).

When to plant cantaloupe in Kansas City

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant cantaloupe at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 18 using the typical date, Apr 24 as a balanced choice, or May 4 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Kansas City

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant watermelon at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 18 using the typical date, Apr 24 as a balanced choice, or May 4 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Kansas City

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant winter squash around Apr 18 at the earliest, Apr 24 as a balanced choice, or May 4 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Kansas City?

Sow tomatoes indoors Mar 15–29 and peppers Feb 27 – Mar 13. We work back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Kansas City?

CSU Extension's rules for tomatoes are 2+ weeks after the average last frost and nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would allow about Apr 18 here, but the average nightly low at Kansas City Downtown Airport isn't above 52°F until May 3. With both rules, the dates are about May 3 at the earliest, May 3 as a balanced choice, or May 4 to be safe.

What can I plant in Kansas City in the fall?

These sowing deadlines count back from the typical first frost (Nov 2) using UNL Extension's method: peas by Aug 15; lettuce (leaf) by Aug 20; carrots by Aug 10; beans (snap) by Aug 6; summer squash by Aug 16; broccoli by Aug 15 (transplants); cabbage by Jul 26 (transplants); kohlrabi by Aug 30; green onions by Aug 20; radishes by Sep 19; spinach by Sep 9; turnips by Aug 30; beets by Aug 20; swiss chard by Aug 20; cucumbers by Aug 11.

Download

• Calendar file (.ics) with frost dates and planting windows for 2027
• Printable PDF of this calendar
• Print this page