Frost dates for 64742Drexel, MO
The average last spring frost in Drexel is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 19 · May 3 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 9 · Apr 23 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 13 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 23 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Drexel
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 64742 is matched to the NOAA station Hillsdale Lake, KS, 31.9 km away, at 1,010 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale Lake, KS (used) | 1,010 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
| Paola, KS | 860 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 21 |
| Butler 4W, MO | 790 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 23 |
| Osawatomie, KS | 860 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Drexel
- Amsterdam, MO 64723 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Louisburg, KS 66053 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Freeman, MO 64746 · last Apr 13, first Oct 21
- Archie, MO 64725 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Adrian, MO 64720 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Cleveland, MO 64734 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Fontana, KS 66026 · last Apr 13, first Oct 21
- Amoret, MO 64722 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Drexel, MO?
- For ZIP code 64742, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hillsdale Lake, KS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Drexel, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 64742?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.