Frost dates for 63942Gatewood, MO
The average last spring frost in Gatewood is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 6 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Oct 27 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 12 · Apr 29 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 17 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 216 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gatewood
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 63942 is matched to the NOAA station Doniphan, MO, 23.9 km away, at 289 ft elevation (200 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doniphan, MO (used) | 289 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 26 |
| Alton, MO | 813 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 21 |
| Pocahontas 1, AR | 315 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 1 |
| Mammoth Spring, AR | 502 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Gatewood
- Warm Springs, AR 72478 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Couch, MO 65690 · last Apr 12, first Oct 24
- Myrtle, MO 65778 · last Apr 12, first Oct 24
- Maynard, AR 72444 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Briar, MO 63931 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Doniphan, MO 63935 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Ravenden Springs, AR 72460 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Pocahontas, AR 72455 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gatewood, MO?
- For ZIP code 63942, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Doniphan, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Gatewood, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 63942?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.