Frost dates for 65473Fort Leonard Wood, MO
The average last spring frost in Fort Leonard Wood is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 10 · Apr 27 · May 10 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 1 · Nov 17 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Leonard Wood
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65473 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Leonard Wood, MO, 2.3 km away, at 1,123 ft elevation (27 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Leonard Wood, MO (used) | 1,123 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 24 |
| Waynesville 2 W, MO | 890 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 21 |
| Licking 4N, MO | 1,180 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 19 |
| Rolla Missouri S&T, MO | 1,173 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Fort Leonard Wood
- Saint Robert, MO 65584 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Waynesville, MO 65583 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Devils Elbow, MO 65457 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Duke, MO 65461 · last Apr 20, first Oct 19
- Laquey, MO 65534 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Edgar Springs, MO 65462 · last Apr 20, first Oct 19
- Jerome, MO 65529 · last Apr 8, first Oct 26
- Crocker, MO 65452 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Leonard Wood, MO?
- For ZIP code 65473, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Leonard Wood, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Fort Leonard Wood, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65473?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.