Frost dates for 65449Cook Sta, MO
The average last spring frost in Cook Sta is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 30 · May 16 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 17 · May 5 | Oct 3 · Oct 18 · Oct 31 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 3 · Apr 20 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 14 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cook Sta
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 28 |
| 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 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 28 |
| 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 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65449 is matched to the NOAA station Salem, MO, 21.3 km away, at 1,205 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, MO (used) | 1,205 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 18 |
| Rolla Missouri S&T, MO | 1,173 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Salem 10 W, MO | 1,198 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 14 |
| Steelville 2 N, MO | 700 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Cook Sta
- Lake Spring, MO 65532 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Wesco, MO 65586 · last Apr 17, first Oct 18
- Saint James, MO 65559 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Rolla, MO 65401 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Salem, MO 65560 · last Apr 17, first Oct 18
- Steelville, MO 65565 · last Apr 26, first Oct 8
- Lenox, MO 65541 · last Apr 20, first Oct 19
- Cherryville, MO 65446 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cook Sta, MO?
- For ZIP code 65449, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Salem, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Cook Sta, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65449?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.