Frost dates for 63334Bowling Green, MO
The average last spring frost in Bowling Green is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 164 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 27 · May 12 | Sep 25 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 13 · May 1 | Oct 5 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 18 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bowling Green
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63334 is matched to the NOAA station Bowling Green 1 E, MO, 2.4 km away, at 895 ft elevation (22 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green 1 E, MO (used) | 895 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 23 |
| Clarksville L&D 24, MO | 460 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
| Vandalia, MO | 764 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 23 |
| Saverton L&D 22, MO | 472 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Bowling Green
- Curryville, MO 63339 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Louisiana, MO 63353 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Eolia, MO 63344 · last Apr 13, first Oct 23
- Frankford, MO 63441 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Clarksville, MO 63336 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Whiteside, MO 63387 · last Apr 13, first Oct 23
- Ashburn, MO 63433 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Vandalia, MO 63382 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bowling Green, MO?
- For ZIP code 63334, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bowling Green 1 E, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Bowling Green, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 63334?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.