Frost dates for 63456Monroe City, MO
The average last spring frost in Monroe City is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 10 · Apr 25 · May 9 | Sep 26 · Oct 12 · Oct 23 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 12 · Apr 28 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 2 · Apr 17 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 17 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Monroe City
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63456 is matched to the NOAA station Monroe City, MO, 2.2 km away, at 741 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe City, MO (used) | 741 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 22 |
| Shelbina, MO | 747 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
| Hannibal Wtr Wks, MO | 712 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
| Quincy Dam 21, IL | 483 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Monroe City
- Stoutsville, MO 65283 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Hunnewell, MO 63443 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Emden, MO 63439 · last Apr 17, first Oct 19
- Philadelphia, MO 63463 · last Apr 17, first Oct 19
- Palmyra, MO 63461 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Center, MO 63436 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Perry, MO 63462 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Shelbina, MO 63468 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Monroe City, MO?
- For ZIP code 63456, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Monroe City, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Monroe City, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. 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 63456?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.