Frost dates for 63936Dudley, MO
The average last spring frost in Dudley is March 31 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 214 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 214 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 148 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 29 · Apr 11 · Apr 25 | Oct 10 · Oct 22 · Nov 1 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 15 | Oct 19 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 214 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 19 · Apr 4 | Oct 29 · Nov 10 · Nov 29 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dudley
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63936 is matched to the NOAA station Poplar Bluff Muni Ap, MO, 18.6 km away, at 327 ft elevation (1 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poplar Bluff Muni Ap, MO (used) | 327 ft | Mar 31 | Oct 31 |
| Wappapello Dam, MO | 410 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 2 |
| Poplar Bluff, MO | 370 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| Malden Muni Ap, MO | 290 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Dudley
- Fisk, MO 63940 · last Mar 31, first Oct 31
- Dexter, MO 63841 · last Mar 29, first Nov 3
- Rombauer, MO 63962 · last Mar 31, first Oct 31
- Puxico, MO 63960 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Broseley, MO 63932 · last Mar 31, first Oct 31
- Bloomfield, MO 63825 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Wappapello, MO 63966 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Bernie, MO 63822 · last Mar 29, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dudley, MO?
- For ZIP code 63936, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Poplar Bluff Muni Ap, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Dudley, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 63936?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 214 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.