Frost dates for 64865Seneca, MO
The average last spring frost in Seneca is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 31 · Apr 19 · May 5 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 7 · Apr 25 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 27 · Apr 13 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 26 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Seneca
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 64865 is matched to the NOAA station Neosho, MO, 19.6 km away, at 1,033 ft elevation (17 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neosho, MO (used) | 1,033 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 31 |
| Anderson 3W, MO | 1,117 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| Anderson, MO | 1,050 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| Diamond 2W, MO | 1,070 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Seneca
- Racine, MO 64858 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Wyandotte, OK 74370 · last Apr 6, first Oct 27
- Neosho, MO 64850 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Quapaw, OK 74363 · last Apr 6, first Oct 27
- Tiff City, MO 64868 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Goodman, MO 64843 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Saginaw, MO 64864 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Joplin, MO 64804 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Seneca, MO?
- For ZIP code 64865, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Neosho, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Seneca, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 64865?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 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.