Frost dates for 63544Green Castle, MO
The average last spring frost in Green Castle is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 19 · May 5 · May 21 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 26 · May 12 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Green Castle
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63544 is matched to the NOAA station Green City 5N, MO, 10.8 km away, at 1,035 ft elevation (25 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green City 5N, MO (used) | 1,035 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 14 |
| Unionville, MO | 1,060 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
| Kirksville, MO | 970 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
| Kirksville Rgnl Ap, MO | 966 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Green Castle
- Green City, MO 63545 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Novinger, MO 63559 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Pollock, MO 63560 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Worthington, MO 63567 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Milan, MO 63556 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Unionville, MO 63565 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Winigan, MO 63566 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Kirksville, MO 63501 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Green Castle, MO?
- For ZIP code 63544, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Green City 5N, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Green Castle, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 63544?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.