Frost dates for 65464Elk Creek, MO
The average last spring frost in Elk Creek is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 194 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 194 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 6 · Apr 25 · May 13 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 24 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 10 · May 1 | Oct 6 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 194 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 29 · Apr 15 | Oct 18 · Nov 3 · Nov 23 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elk Creek
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 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65464 is matched to the NOAA station Houston, MO, 15.2 km away, at 1,224 ft elevation (216 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, MO (used) | 1,224 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 23 |
| Summersville 3 Se, MO | 1,236 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 27 |
| Mtn Grove 2 N, MO | 1,466 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 28 |
| West Plains Muni Ap, MO | 1,223 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Elk Creek
- Solo, MO 65564 · last Apr 10, first Oct 23
- Yukon, MO 65589 · last Apr 10, first Oct 23
- Eunice, MO 65468 · last Apr 10, first Oct 23
- Houston, MO 65483 · last Apr 10, first Oct 23
- Cabool, MO 65689 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Raymondville, MO 65555 · last Apr 10, first Oct 23
- Summersville, MO 65571 · last Apr 7, first Oct 27
- Willow Springs, MO 65793 · last Apr 8, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elk Creek, MO?
- For ZIP code 65464, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Houston, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Elk Creek, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65464?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 194 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.