Frost dates for 63534Callao, MO
The average last spring frost in Callao is April 8 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 5 · Apr 22 · May 5 | Oct 2 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 8 · Apr 24 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 29 · Apr 12 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 220 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Callao
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 8 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 1 – May 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63534 is matched to the NOAA station Long Branch Rsvr, MO, 11 km away, at 820 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Branch Rsvr, MO (used) | 820 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 28 |
| Brookfield, MO | 767 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 23 |
| Salisbury, MO | 730 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 22 |
| Kirksville Rgnl Ap, MO | 966 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Callao
- Bevier, MO 63532 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- New Cambria, MO 63558 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Macon, MO 63552 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Excello, MO 65247 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Elmer, MO 63538 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Ethel, MO 63539 · last Apr 19, first Oct 18
- Bucklin, MO 64631 · last Apr 14, first Oct 23
- Atlanta, MO 63530 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Callao, MO?
- For ZIP code 63534, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Long Branch Rsvr, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Callao, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 63534?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.