Frost dates for 65401Rolla, MO
The average last spring frost in Rolla is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 207 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 207 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 1 · Apr 18 · May 2 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 5 · Apr 22 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 207 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 26 · Apr 10 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 28 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rolla
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65401 is matched to the NOAA station Rolla Missouri S&T, MO, 1.7 km away, at 1,173 ft elevation (136 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolla Missouri S&T, MO (used) | 1,173 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Vichy Rolla National Ap, MO | 1,127 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
| Vienna 2 Wnw, MO | 770 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 26 |
| Steelville 2 N, MO | 700 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Rolla
- Rolla, MO 65402 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Newburg, MO 65550 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Saint James, MO 65559 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Vichy, MO 65580 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Jerome, MO 65529 · last Apr 8, first Oct 26
- Lake Spring, MO 65532 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Cook Sta, MO 65449 · last Apr 17, first Oct 18
- Edgar Springs, MO 65462 · last Apr 20, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rolla, MO?
- For ZIP code 65401, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rolla Missouri S&T, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Rolla, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65401?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 207 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.