Frost dates for 65049Lake Ozark, MO
The average last spring frost in Lake Ozark is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 29 · Apr 13 · May 1 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 19 · Apr 4 | Oct 31 · Nov 15 · Dec 3 | 241 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lake Ozark
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 | Feb 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65049 is matched to the NOAA station Lakeside, MO, 4 km away, at 590 ft elevation (106 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeside, MO (used) | 590 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 3 |
| Eldon, MO | 924 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Versailles, MO | 1,003 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
| Iberia, MO | 938 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Lake Ozark
- Osage Beach, MO 65065 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Kaiser, MO 65047 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Rocky Mount, MO 65072 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Sunrise Beach, MO 65079 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Laurie, MO 65038 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Gravois Mills, MO 65037 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Linn Creek, MO 65052 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Eldon, MO 65026 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake Ozark, MO?
- For ZIP code 65049, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lakeside, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Lake Ozark, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65049?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.