Frost dates for 63869New Madrid, MO
The average last spring frost in New Madrid is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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) | Mar 24 · Apr 7 · Apr 25 | Oct 13 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 200 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 28 · Apr 12 | Oct 23 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Apr 1 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Dec 4 | 243 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for New Madrid
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 | Feb 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63869 is matched to the NOAA station New Madrid, MO, 2.3 km away, at 302 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Madrid, MO (used) | 302 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 3 |
| Portageville, MO | 280 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 7 |
| Samburg Wr, TN | 310 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Sikeston Pwr Stn, MO | 310 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near New Madrid
- Lilbourn, MO 63862 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Kewanee, MO 63860 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Marston, MO 63866 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Matthews, MO 63867 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Canalou, MO 63828 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Catron, MO 63833 · last Mar 29, first Nov 3
- East Prairie, MO 63845 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Portageville, MO 63873 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Madrid, MO?
- For ZIP code 63869, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New Madrid, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in New Madrid, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 63869?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.