Frost dates for 64085Richmond, MO
The average last spring frost in Richmond is April 8 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 197 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 197 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 22 · May 7 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 8 · Apr 26 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 197 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 30 · Apr 12 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 20 | 219 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richmond
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 8 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 1 – May 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 64085 is matched to the NOAA station Lexington 3E, MO, 15.2 km away, at 825 ft elevation (18 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington 3E, MO (used) | 825 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 25 |
| Richmond 3S, MO | 700 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| Kearney 3E, MO | 840 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 17 |
| Higginsville, MO | 836 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Richmond
- Henrietta, MO 64036 · last Apr 8, first Oct 25
- Camden, MO 64017 · last Apr 8, first Oct 25
- Rayville, MO 64084 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
- Hardin, MO 64035 · last Apr 8, first Oct 25
- Orrick, MO 64077 · last Apr 8, first Oct 25
- Lexington, MO 64067 · last Apr 8, first Oct 25
- Wellington, MO 64097 · last Apr 8, first Oct 25
- Napoleon, MO 64074 · last Apr 8, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richmond, MO?
- For ZIP code 64085, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lexington 3E, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Richmond, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 64085?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 197 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.