Frost dates for 63457Monticello, MO
The average last spring frost in Monticello is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 194 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 194 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (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 10 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 173 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 11 · Apr 29 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 194 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 2 · Apr 15 | Oct 21 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Monticello
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 63457 is matched to the NOAA station Canton L&D 20, MO, 16.9 km away, at 490 ft elevation (150 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canton L&D 20, MO (used) | 490 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 23 |
| Steffenville, MO | 705 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 19 |
| Quincy Dam 21, IL | 483 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 30 |
| Keokuk Lock Dam 19, IA | 527 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Monticello
- Lewistown, MO 63452 · last Apr 17, first Oct 19
- Ewing, MO 63440 · last Apr 17, first Oct 19
- Canton, MO 63435 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Williamstown, MO 63473 · last Apr 17, first Oct 19
- La Belle, MO 63447 · last Apr 17, first Oct 19
- Durham, MO 63438 · last Apr 17, first Oct 19
- La Grange, MO 63448 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Maywood, MO 63454 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Monticello, MO?
- For ZIP code 63457, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Canton L&D 20, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Monticello, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 63457?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 194 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.