Frost dates for 63742Commerce, MO
The average last spring frost in Commerce is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 156 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 2 · Apr 17 · May 1 | Oct 2 · Oct 16 · Oct 28 | 181 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 26 · Apr 11 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 21 | 223 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Commerce
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63742 is matched to the NOAA station Cape Girardeau Muni Ap, MO, 13.2 km away, at 336 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau Muni Ap, MO (used) | 336 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 25 |
| Cairo 3N, IL | 313 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
| Jackson, MO | 440 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| Sikeston Pwr Stn, MO | 310 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Commerce
- Thebes, IL 62990 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Scott City, MO 63780 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Olive Branch, IL 62969 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Kelso, MO 63758 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Miller City, IL 62962 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Unity, IL 62993 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Benton, MO 63736 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Mc Clure, IL 62957 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Commerce, MO?
- For ZIP code 63742, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cape Girardeau Muni Ap, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Commerce, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 63742?
- 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.