Frost dates for 65327Emma, MO
The average last spring frost in Emma is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 184 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 184 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 14 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Sep 24 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 1 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 184 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Emma
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65327 is matched to the NOAA station Sweet Springs, MO, 6.5 km away, at 675 ft elevation (86 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet Springs, MO (used) | 675 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 20 |
| Higginsville, MO | 836 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 24 |
| Waverly, MO | 800 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 30 |
| Marshall, MO | 790 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Emma
- Sweet Springs, MO 65351 · last Apr 17, first Oct 20
- Concordia, MO 64020 · last Apr 17, first Oct 20
- Blackburn, MO 65321 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Alma, MO 64001 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Houstonia, MO 65333 · last Apr 17, first Oct 20
- Corder, MO 64021 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Higginsville, MO 64037 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Malta Bend, MO 65339 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Emma, MO?
- For ZIP code 65327, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sweet Springs, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Emma, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65327?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 184 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.