Frost dates for 65264Martinsburg, MO
The average last spring frost in Martinsburg is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 197 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 197 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 161 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 7 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 26 | Oct 13 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 197 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 1 · Apr 15 | Oct 24 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Martinsburg
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65264 is matched to the NOAA station Mexico, MO, 21 km away, at 802 ft elevation (21 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico, MO (used) | 802 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 25 |
| Vandalia, MO | 764 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 23 |
| Fulton, MO | 770 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 24 |
| Bowling Green 1 E, MO | 895 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Martinsburg
- Wellsville, MO 63384 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Benton City, MO 65232 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
- Rush Hill, MO 65280 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
- Laddonia, MO 63352 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Montgomery City, MO 63361 · last Apr 14, first Oct 23
- Farber, MO 63345 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Mexico, MO 65265 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
- Auxvasse, MO 65231 · last Apr 11, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Martinsburg, MO?
- For ZIP code 65264, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mexico, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Martinsburg, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65264?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 197 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.