Frost dates for 65101Jefferson City, MO
The average last spring frost in Jefferson City is April 8 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 205 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 205 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (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 21 · May 4 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 8 · Apr 23 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 11 | 205 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 28 · Apr 13 | Oct 28 · Nov 8 · Nov 25 | 225 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Jefferson City
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 8 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 1 – May 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65101 is matched to the NOAA station Jefferson City Wtp, MO, 5.1 km away, at 650 ft elevation (115 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City Wtp, MO (used) | 650 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 31 |
| Jefferson City Mem Ap, MO | 573 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 26 |
| Columbia Rgnl Ap, MO | 893 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| California, MO | 879 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Jefferson City
- Jefferson City, MO 65102 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Holts Summit, MO 65043 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Westphalia, MO 65085 · last Apr 10, first Oct 26
- Saint Thomas, MO 65076 · last Apr 10, first Oct 26
- Loose Creek, MO 65054 · last Apr 10, first Oct 26
- New Bloomfield, MO 65063 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Tebbetts, MO 65080 · last Apr 10, first Oct 26
- Bonnots Mill, MO 65016 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Jefferson City, MO?
- For ZIP code 65101, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jefferson City Wtp, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Jefferson City, 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 65101?
- 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.