Frost dates for 65010Ashland, MO
The average last spring frost in Ashland is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 205 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 205 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 156 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 4 · Apr 19 · May 2 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 205 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 28 · Apr 11 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ashland
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 9 |
| 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 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 9 |
| 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) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65010 is matched to the NOAA station Columbia Rgnl Ap, MO, 4.5 km away, at 893 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Rgnl Ap, MO (used) | 893 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| Columbia U Of M, MO | 770 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
| Jefferson City Wtp, MO | 650 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 31 |
| Jefferson City Mem Ap, MO | 573 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Ashland
- Hartsburg, MO 65039 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- New Bloomfield, MO 65063 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Columbia, MO 65201 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Mid Missouri, MO 65299 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Jamestown, MO 65046 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
- Holts Summit, MO 65043 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Centertown, MO 65023 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
- Jefferson City, MO 65109 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ashland, MO?
- For ZIP code 65010, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbia Rgnl Ap, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Ashland, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65010?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 205 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.