Frost dates for 63548Lancaster, MO
The average last spring frost in Lancaster is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 13 · Apr 28 · May 10 | Sep 26 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 5 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 6 · Apr 20 | Oct 19 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lancaster
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63548 is matched to the NOAA station Bloomfield, IA, 25.6 km away, at 858 ft elevation (74 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield, IA (used) | 858 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Memphis, MO | 770 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 17 |
| Kirksville, MO | 970 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
| Centerville, IA | 905 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Glenwood, MO 63541 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Coatsville, MO 63535 · last Apr 28, first Oct 14
- Queen City, MO 63561 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Downing, MO 63536 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Livonia, MO 63551 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Worthington, MO 63567 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Greentop, MO 63546 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Moulton, IA 52572 · last Apr 28, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lancaster, MO?
- For ZIP code 63548, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bloomfield, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Lancaster, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 63548?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.