Frost dates for 63436Center, MO
The average last spring frost in Center is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 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 9 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Sep 28 · Oct 14 · Oct 24 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 11 · Apr 25 | Oct 7 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 1 · Apr 15 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Center
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63436 is matched to the NOAA station Vandalia, MO, 23.5 km away, at 764 ft elevation (75 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vandalia, MO (used) | 764 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 23 |
| Monroe City, MO | 741 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 22 |
| Hannibal Wtr Wks, MO | 712 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
| Saverton L&D 22, MO | 472 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Center
- New London, MO 63459 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Perry, MO 63462 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Frankford, MO 63441 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Monroe City, MO 63456 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- Vandalia, MO 63382 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Hannibal, MO 63401 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Stoutsville, MO 65283 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Curryville, MO 63339 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Center, MO?
- For ZIP code 63436, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Vandalia, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Center, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 63436?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.