Frost dates for 63780Scott City, MO
The average last spring frost in Scott City 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 Scott City
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 63780 is matched to the NOAA station Cape Girardeau Muni Ap, MO, 5 km away, at 336 ft elevation (54 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 |
| Jackson, MO | 440 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| Cairo 3N, IL | 313 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
| Advance 1 S, MO | 360 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Scott City
- Kelso, MO 63758 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Thebes, IL 62990 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Commerce, MO 63742 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Chaffee, MO 63740 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Mc Clure, IL 62957 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Olive Branch, IL 62969 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Benton, MO 63736 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Scott City, MO?
- For ZIP code 63780, 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 Scott City, 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 63780?
- 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.