Frost dates for 65239Cairo, MO
The average last spring frost in Cairo is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 195 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 195 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 9 · Apr 25 · May 8 | Sep 30 · Oct 16 · Oct 27 | 173 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 27 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 3 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cairo
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 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65239 is matched to the NOAA station Moberly, MO, 10.2 km away, at 860 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moberly, MO (used) | 860 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 25 |
| Long Branch Rsvr, MO | 820 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 28 |
| Salisbury, MO | 730 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 22 |
| Shelbina, MO | 747 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Cairo
- Jacksonville, MO 65260 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Moberly, MO 65270 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Huntsville, MO 65259 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Excello, MO 65247 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Madison, MO 65263 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Renick, MO 65278 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Clifton Hill, MO 65244 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- Higbee, MO 65257 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cairo, MO?
- For ZIP code 65239, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Moberly, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Cairo, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65239?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 195 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.