Frost dates for 64508Saint Joseph, MO
The average last spring frost in Saint Joseph is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 180 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 180 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 15 · Apr 29 · May 9 | Sep 21 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Sep 30 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 180 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 9 · Apr 24 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saint Joseph
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 64508 is matched to the NOAA station St Joseph Rosecrans Ap, MO, 12.2 km away, at 818 ft elevation (239 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph Rosecrans Ap, MO (used) | 818 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 17 |
| Cosby 2W, MO | 910 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 19 |
| Atchison, KS | 945 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 29 |
| Troy 3N, KS | 1,040 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Saint Joseph
- Saint Joseph, MO 64504 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
- Elwood, KS 66024 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
- Wathena, KS 66090 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
- Faucett, MO 64448 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- De Kalb, MO 64440 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Agency, MO 64401 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
- Easton, MO 64443 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
- Dearborn, MO 64439 · last Apr 18, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saint Joseph, MO?
- For ZIP code 64508, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the St Joseph Rosecrans Ap, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Saint Joseph, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 64508?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 180 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.